Successful parole bid by fraudster

Alexandra Holland.

Exclusive: Woman who stole $450,000 from couple and used it pay for wedding they attended is released

A recidivist fraudster who stole more than $450,000 from a top Auckland couple, using the money to fund her wedding that she then invited them to, will be released on parole after serving a third of her jail sentence.

Alexandra Ruve Clare Holland, 40, was jailed for three years and four months in September last year after she admitted stealing $445,643 from Carter Bloodstock - owned by Auckland Arts Festival chairwoman and former city councillor Victoria Carter and lawyer John Carter - over two years from 2010.

Holland was convicted in 2005 of stealing $67,875 from her former employer, Coca-Cola Amatil. She used the cash stolen from the Carters to fund a lavish lifestyle, including her wedding which the Carters attended. She became eligible for parole on November 7 and at a hearing that day the Parole Board agreed to release her. A source said she was likely to return to live with her husband in the Mission Bay area and revert to her maiden name Meinecke.

Holland told the board that she had provided the Carters with a written apology for what she had done, said that she had "done everything she could to make amends".

"Her offending still lived with her and she remained in a state of guilt ... " said the parole decision, released to the Herald.

The Herald has learned that the Carters were never given any such letter from Holland. The couple did not want to comment on Holland's release.

At the hearing her lawyer told a panel of Parole Board members that she had had counselling in prison and as a result had "developed" insight into the reasons for her offending.

The lawyer said the contributing factor to the offending was her "materialistic approach to life at the time". After counselling "her perspective on that has changed", the lawyer said.

Convener Neville Trendle said while the answers to some of the panel's questions were "less than convincing" it was their job to assess her in terms of risk and the chance of reoffending.

Her release is under five conditions including not contacting the Carters, getting approval from her probation officer before engaging in any employment, paid or otherwise, and not to be involved in the handling or management of the money or financial transactions of any other person, organisation or business.

Heading home

•

The offender

Alexandra Ruve Clare Holland aka Meinecke.

• The crime Four years for stealing more than $450,000 from her employers John and Victoria Carter.

• The spending A lavish lifestyle including a wedding, a Mercedes and fine dining.

• The penalty Sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in September 2013.

• The release Next week after her first bid for parole was successful.