SPCS

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.

White-collar crime: A Timely Reminder – ODT

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[The Society commends the following ODT Opinon Piece to those seriously interested in understanding the negative impact of declining moral standards and the increase in corruption prevalent in the community, on the “public good” and means by which authorities, employers and the public can help stem the marked increase in white-collar crime].

“… the people of Otago were served a timely reminder of white collar crime with the sentencing on additional charges of convicted fraud Michael Swann in the High Court at Dunedin….

“The expectation is that these will only rise during the next year or two – with KPMG forensics partner Mark Leishman predicting that this year fraud figures could rise as high as $200 million….  Not only are they [white-collar crimes] a severe impost on the financial health of the companies or public organisations on which they are perpetrated, but they sap the confidence of shareholder and taxpayer alike.”

For More go to: Editorial Opinion: Otago Daily Times 18 February 2010 http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/94008/white-collar-crime [Read more…]

Michael Swann, Computer South Ltd and Checketts McKay Law

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On 11 February 2010 Michael Andrew Swann was sentenced to 20 months jail for accepting $755,154 in bribes from long-term friend and business associate Robin Sew Hoy: the sentence to be served concurrently with his present jail sentence of nine and a half years for his part in defrauding the Otago District Health Board (ODHB) of $16.9 million.

Swann had pleaded guily to corruption (accepting bribes) in November 2009 and on 17 December 2009 he was convicted in a jury trial in the Dunedin High Court of a single charge laid against him under the Secret Commissions Act relating to 85 secret “kick-back” (inducement) payments he received from Sew Hoy. [Read more…]

Michael Swann, Checketts McKay Law, Fraud and Otago DHB’s missing $6 Million: Report

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The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said it was “very pleased” when on March 12 2009 the two perpetrators of the largest fraud ever carried out by a state employee against a New Zealand government institution – the vulnerable Otago District Hospital Board (ODH) – were sentenced in the Dunedin High Court to lengthy prison terms. Both had been convicted by jury trial on 5 December 2008 of criminal intent to defraud the ODHB of $16.9 million using false documents.

The SFO described the $15.2 million fraud committed by the primary offender, former bankrupt Michael Andrew Swann, as the largest ever successfully prosecuted involving an individual person. Swann was sentenced to nine and a half years jail and his accomplice Kerry Gray Harford, to four years three months jail. [Read more…]

Large frauds continue to increase – KPMG Report

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[The Society asks: Are community standards dropping in New Zealand as evidenced by the growing levels of corruption, dishonesty and fraud? Are we becoming more tolerant towards the increasing levels of such crimes being committed by members of the public, including business and political leaders?].

 According to the KPMG Fraud Barometer report released on 19 July 2010, the total amount defrauded was $72 million in the first six months to June 2010. [Read more…]

May Wang threat to taxpaying public says IRD lawyer – NZ Herald

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[The Society poses the question: When should the courts bankrupt a business woman and ban her from being a company director? Answer: when “the IRD believes allowing her to continue normal business activity will put the public at risk” and the action will serve the greater public good by helping to maintain the integrity of the New Zealand taxation system].

[May Wang] is “an insolvent dining at the table of a rich man, while her creditors’ receive the crumbs”. IRD lawyer, Nick Malarao.

NZ Herald Article by Kelly Gregor. 10 Nov. 2010

Crafar farm deal frontwoman May Wang has claimed more than $30 million in GST refunds for companies of which she is the director, a court heard yesterday. Wang is fighting Inland Revenue’s attempt to bankrupt her over a $1.3 million debt it is owed after the collapse of her property development company the Dynasty Group.

www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10686530 [Read more…]