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Four more men sentenced for fraud against Dunedin company
Media Release
16 May 2013
Four more men sentenced
for fraud against Dunedin company
Four sentences have been handed down in the Auckland District Court today for fraudulently obtaining loans from Dunedin-based vehicle finance company, Motor Trade Finances Limited (MTF).
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) laid Crimes Act charges against 40 year-old Mark James Whelan and his associates: 45 year-old Richard Michael Barnett, 51 year-old Brett Royce Donaldson and 37 year-old Jonathan Earle Chiswell in September 2011.
In March this year Mr Whelan entered guilty pleas to 66 charges of obtaining by deception with a total value of $4.9 million, and today has been sentenced to four years and four months’ imprisonment.
The three associates who were found guilty by a jury earlier this year were given home detention sentences: Mr Barnett convicted on five charges with a value of $234,000 received 11 months home detention and 200 hours community work, Mr Donaldson convicted on seven charges with a value of $576,000 received 11 months home detention and 200 hours community work and Mr Chiswell convicted on six charges with a value of $671,000 received 11 months home detention and 200 hours community work.
Acting Chief Executive for the SFO, Simon McArley said, “This brings to a successful conclusion the investigation and prosecution of seven individuals. It has been a lengthy and complex case. MTF suffered a significant loss because of the dealings of this group. SFO will continue to focus its efforts on earlier intervention in cases such as this to minimise the cost and impact of offending.”
ENDS
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