Delay in sentencing for passport fraudster

Gerard Otimi. Photo / Greg Bowker

An Auckland man who sold false passports faces a jail sentence unless he has had a "change of heart" and cooperated with his probation officer, say police.

Gerard Teoi Otimi was convicted in April on 38 fraud charges and acquitted on seven after telling overstayers they could stay in New Zealand, if they each paid him $500.

He was due to be sentenced in Manukau District Court today but it has been delayed -- for a third time. Sentencing was now due on Friday.

Otimi had refused to cooperate with his probation officer over the preparation of a pre-sentence report, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini said.

Otimi had earlier been told by Judge Gus Andree Wiltens if there was no pre-sentence report when he appeared, he would and not be considered for home detention, and so go to prison.

Mr Pizzini doubted Otimi had had a change of heart and cooperated with his probation officer.

Otimi was found guilty of running a passport scam which offered Pacific Island overstayers "permission to stay in New Zealand".

He told them for $500 they could become part of his sub-tribe and he could then get approval for them to stay in New Zealand.

Otimi argued the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.

- NZPA