Picker guilty of fraud

A 28-year-old Hastings fruit picker has been convicted of defrauding former employers of more than $81,000.
Fatiaki Masia, also known as Fatiaki Etika, appeared in the Hastings District Court on 22 charges of obtaining by deception relating to previous jobs he held in Auckland.
He started work for AMI insurance as a customer services officer in 2004 with cashier duties.
When questioned by his employers in May of 2008 over $542 in false payments, he denied knowledge and promptly resigned.
The following month he started work for Lumney General Insurance as a team leader responsible for the management of small claims officers. He was in a senior position of trust and had final payment approval authority. On January 13, 2011, Masia resigned from his position and his employers subsequently discovered three fraudulent transactions, including one on his last day of work.
An audit revealed more thefts, dating from May 2010.
Masia had reopened previously-closed legitimate claims and added further details for electronic items or building repairs, including fictitious quotes from Noel Leeming Ltd and building contractors.
The false payments went to seven bank accounts owned by four different people. Police were working to establish the identity of associates.
When spoken to by police Masia said he was greedy, had a marijuana problem and saw how easy it could be.
Reparations were sought for $542 by AMI Insurance and $80,607 by Lumney General Insurance.
Masia was remanded on existing bail conditions to appear in the Napier District Court for sentencing on October 14.