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Home / New Zealand

Kiwi fraud accused facing nine new charges

APNZ
16 Jan, 2012 04:12 AM2 mins to read

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Joel Morehu-Barlow is accused of defrauding Queensland Health of A$11 million. Photo / Supplied

Joel Morehu-Barlow is accused of defrauding Queensland Health of A$11 million. Photo / Supplied

A New Zealand man accused of defrauding Queensland Health of more than A$16 million (NZ$20m) faced nine new charges when he appeared in court today.

Former Queensland Health employee Hohepa Morehu-Barlow appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court via videolink from prison.

His lawyer Adam Magill told APNZ his client was being kept in the hospital wing of the prison.

"He's all right, bearing in mind the circumstances... The fall from grace is obviously the big one.''

Morehu-Barlow now faces 10 charges.

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Authorities have frozen Morehu-Barlow's assets and are seeking property belonging to his sister in their bid to recover some of the funds he allegedly siphoned from Queensland Health in the five years he worked there.

Asked what the chances of reparation are, Mr Magill said "the Government's taken everything we have.''

"He can't move sideways.''

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Mr Magill said he had only just received documents from the police over the alleged fraud.

According to the Australian newspaper, Morehu-Barlow faces two counts of fraud in the amounts of A$16.6m and A$56,000, possession of the illicit drugs testosterone, methyl-amphetamine and ecstasy; possession of drug utensils including pipes, scales and spoons; falsifying records in the registration of his businesses The Muse Business Inspiration and Healthy Choices and Initiatives, and public service misconduct.

Morehu-Barlow had worked for Queensland Health for five years when checks revealed that up to A$21 million appeared to have gone missing.

After a three-day manhunt in December, police found him unconscious in his luxurious inner-city Brisbane apartment.

Discover more

New Zealand|crime

Plans to share criminal records

12 Dec 04:30 PM
New Zealand|crime

Accused Kiwi fraudster remanded until new year

13 Dec 09:28 PM
New Zealand

Heath officials stood down over Kiwi's alleged $21m fraud

14 Dec 03:33 AM
New Zealand|crime

No end to tale-spinner's stories

16 Dec 04:30 PM

Morehu-Barlow, 36, who grew up in Thames, lived the high life in Australia, convincing people he was a rich, Tahitian prince.

His life was filled with Louis Vuitton suits, Lamborghini cars and a rented multimillion-dollar apartment. He was handsome, popular and his photos regularly made social pages in the local newspapers.

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