Fraud/Dishonesty

  • R v K – Successful defence after four-day trial of client charged with concealing considerable property and funds whilst bankrupt. Defence based on interpretation of certain documentation. Result: Not guilty on all charges.

 

  • R v M – Represented client charged with one of the largest ever ACC frauds in New Zealand. M was a physiotherapist who was accused of fraudulently claiming half a million dollars of fees from ACC. Originally charged with close to 90 charges. Following deposition hearing and cross-examination of dozens of crown witnesses Prosecution reduced number of charges and M therefore escaped a term of imprisonment.

 

  • R v F – Represented client charged with perpetrating fraud against her employer, the Salvation Army. The defence claimed that she was not fraudulent but had been untidy in her bookkeeping rather than being dishonest. Found not guilty of the majority of charges and received a community-based sentence rather than a lengthy term of imprisonment.

 

  • R v M – Successful defence of businessman who was accused of being the mastermind of a major burglary ring where large amounts of computer equipment were stolen from retail and wholesale outlets/warehouses. Found guilty of receiving only and escaped a lengthy term of imprisonment.

 

  • R v C – Successful defence of publican/bar manager who was accused of 20 charges of fraud by failing to account to a well-known registered charity. The defence focused on showing the defendant’s actions were inadvertent rather than intentionally dishonest. Result: Not guilty on all charges.