Christchurch fraud couple jailed longer after tax scam uncovered

A Christchurch couple will serve more jail time after an IRD investigation. Photo / RNZ, Nate McKinnon

A Christchurch couple jailed for multiple fraud convictions have had their sentences lengthened after an Inland Revenue Department tax fraud investigation.

Richard Jody Rapana had nine months added to his sentence while his co-accused Marlanna Shirley Diana Harris received a further 14 months.

Rapana pleaded guilty to three representative charges of dishonestly and without claim of right using a document with intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage.

The IRD says the charges related to fraudulently obtaining (and attempting to obtain) income tax refunds, student loan payments and Working for Families payments.

Rapana is already serving four years for burglary, Covid wage subsidy fraud, and Facebook Marketplace fraud.

His co-accused, Harris, is serving a near four-year term on dishonesty charges. She appeared in the Auckland District Court on June 13 on similar charges to Rapana.

IRD says between May 2019 and January 2022, Rapana and Harris together tried to get more than $400,000 that they were not entitled to, receiving just over $115,000. IRD began investigating in 2019 before placing the investigation on hold while supporting the Government’s response to Covid-19.

The judge in Rapana’s sentencing noted the victims were all New Zealand taxpayers.

Harris also admitted three representative charges.