The president of New Caledonia's Northern Province Paul Neaoutyine has been tried for allegedly misspending public funds.
The prosecution wants him to be given an eight-month suspended prison sentence and be fined $US10,000.
Mr Neaoutyine is accused of having used his position to divert funds from 2012 to 2015 to various organisations including one in charge of transporting disabled children.
He argued that such transport was the responsibility of the territorial government but which he said didn't do its job.
Mr Neaoutyine said he wasn't authorised to call for tenders and yet he wouldn't leave the children without support.
The court ruling is expected to be released on 29 October.
Mr Neaoutyine, who is the leader of the pro-independence Palika party, has been pushing for New Caledonia to become an independent country, but in a partnership with France.
President of New Caledonia's Northern Province Paul Neaoutyine Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel
