An Auckland man was yesterday convicted of blackmailing his lawyer by demanding $350,000 for keeping quiet about allegations he was in a relationship with a prostitute and used methamphetamine.
The High Court at Auckland was told Paul Desmond Currie, 45, tried to extort the cash from the lawyer when he lost $200,000 in a divorce settlement.
He will be sentenced on September 16. The Auckland lawyer's identity is suppressed.
Crown prosecutor Nick Flanagan said the lawyer acted for Currie during his marriage break-up. Currie was not happy with the settlement and aired his grievances in a letter to his lawyer.
He alleged the lawyer used drugs and prostitutes and threatened to tell the Law Society and others if he was not given $351,886 in compensation.
Currie's then partner was a prostitute and his lawyer had used her services many years earlier.
Defence lawyer Richard Earwaker said Currie accepted he tried to achieve a final settlement for his lawyer's perceived negligence and misconduct after representing him for a number of years, but denied blackmail.
- NZPA
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Knowledge of environment helps tackle climate change, says maramataka expert
Te Tai Tōkerau Community Resilience Action Plan to be adapted throughout the region.