Partner finds use of Rod Donald's name on scam 'abhorrent'

The partner of deceased Green co-leader Rod Donald says it is abhorrent that his name is being used in a scam pyramid selling scheme.

The Green Party referred the scam to police after it learned Mr Donald's name was being used to lure people into the scheme.

A spokeswoman for the Greens said yesterday she had seen the scam letter which urged people to post $10 to the name listed at the top, put their name at the bottom and send copies of the letter to 30 others -- all with the promise of making lots of money.

The letter listed the Green Party, Women's Refuge in Taranaki and the Manawatu Samaritans as places to send the $10.

Included in a pamphlet was mention of Mr Donald, the Greens' co-leader who died suddenly last year, saying he was a man who knew about ethics.

Greens leader Jeanette Fitzsimons was disappointed Mr Donald's good name was being used in this way.

"It is an insult to Rod's memory that they're trying to use pictures of him in their illegal scam but I think most people would recognise this for what it is," Ms Fitzsimons told TV One news.

Mr Donald's partner, Nicola Shirlaw, told the Christchurch Press the pyramid scam was abhorrent.

"I think pyramid-selling schemes are abhorrent anyway because they tend to target the weak and vulnerable in our society, then with nobody's consent, using Rod in this way, takes it to another level of abhorrence.

"He would have loathed this sort of scheme and never wanted any connection with them. It's extremely disrespectful. I just feel bewildered that someone thought this was a good idea and I'm angry on his behalf," she said.

Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore, a friend of Mr Donald's, said it was "scumball behaviour" to capitalise on the name of anybody who was dead.

"Rod would never have approved of this sort of thing. It's hard on Nicola and the girls when people do this sort of thing. It's totally unacceptable."

The Greens spokeswoman said she understood the scam letter had gone to a couple of people at least.

The Green Party had nothing to do with the pyramid scheme and had referred the letter to police. The Commerce Commission was also aware of it.

Anyone who received the letter should "just chuck it straight in the bin. Don't spend money, it's illegal and it has not come from us," the spokeswoman said.

- NZPA