An accounts clerk who stole $1.3 million from her employer to feed her gambling habit has been sentenced to four years' jail.
Telesia Fonoimoana - once considered a trustworthy employee - secretly cashed company cheques over four years for money to take to Sky City Casino.
In the Auckland District Court, Judge Barry Morris suppressed the name of her employer as the company had already suffered significant financial damage as a result of Fonoimoana's deception.
Serious Fraud Office prosecutor Rachael Reed said the 27-year-old Titirangi woman had gambled away about $250,000 and was a gold card holder at the casino. She had spent the remaining money on food, clothes and household items.
The company's directors realised what had happened when Fonoimoana resigned last October and the new accounts clerk noticed that a large number of cheques had been written.
Defence lawyer Marie Dyhrberg said Fonoimoana was "shocked and appalled" by how much she had stolen.
She had since undergone treatment for her gambling addiction.
In imposing a four-year sentence, Judge Morris said the offending was calculated and had severely affected the viability of the company.
"For them, it's a disaster."
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