Physiotherapist sentenced for ACC fraud

A former Opunake physiotherapist has been sentenced to community work for defrauding the Accident Compensation Corporation.

Gary James Palmer, 38, admitted five charges of making false statements to the ACC and 15 charges of wilfully misleading it when he appeared in the New Plymouth District Court.

Palmer, who now lives in Auckland and is training to be a teacher, claimed a total of $4432.09, but with penalties added, the amount sought by ACC was $13,296.27.

Defence lawyer Turitea Bolstad said Palmer had paid ACC $17,000 and she sought a discharge without conviction. Judge Robert Murfitt sentenced Palmer to 60 hours of community work.