Kiwi fraudster in asset freeze

Hohepa Morehu-Barlow. Photo / Supplied

The Queensland Government, determined to get back all of the A$11 million (NZ$14m) allegedly stolen by accused Queensland Health fraudster Joel Morehu-Barlow, has frozen assets including a blanket and a pillow.

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

Morehu-Barlow is charged with defrauding Queensland Health of A$11m and is due to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police are also investigating allegations he stole a further A$5m.

In the Supreme Court in Brisbane yesterday, the Director of Public Prosecutions sought two further restraining orders on various items including motor vehicles and jet skis, the Courier-Mail reported.

All Access. All in one subscription. From $2 per week

Subscribe now

All Access Weekly

From $2 per week

Pay just

$15.75

$2

per week ongoing

Subscribe now

BEST VALUE

All Access Annual

Pay just

$449

$49

per year ongoing

Subscribe now

Learn more

30

The Government previously restrained property such as units, money, paintings, clothing and even a blanket and pillow.

Morehu-Barlow was not in court yesterday but Justice Martin Daubney said his lawyers had been told.

The state also sought to have property held by Morehu-Barlow's sister Kelli-Ann Barlow restrained. She had been told of the application and chose not to oppose it, the court was told.

Court documents allege Morehu-Barlow had bought cars, expensive jewellery and clothing for his family.

The documents showed police seized more than 50 items from Ms Barlow's home.

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, police found him unconscious in his luxurious inner-city Brisbane apartment.

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.