Thief's parents 'disgusted' by $284,000 fraud

A former public servant's 'intricate methods' meant he was able to commit fraud for four years until early this year. File photo / NZ Herald

The parents of a man who stole $284,341 from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) while he worked there are "disgusted'' with his actions, a court has been told.

Ropati Telea, 27, appeared for sentencing today in the Wellington District Court on two representative charges of fraudulently using documents.

Telea handled most of the government department's payroll and banking matters and stole the money over four years, from February 2007 to February 2011, the court was told.

Judge Susan Thomas sentenced him to 10 months home detention, 300 hours community service and ordered him to pay $10,000 reparation in a lump sum plus $100 a week.

In sentencing, she said Telea's parents felt "disgusted'' by his actions but continued to support him.

Telea was from a "well-respected family'' and was himself respected by his community and church, a large contingent of whom were in court to support him.

"You have made a significant contribution to the church during your life,'' Judge Thomas said.

"(You are a) significantly contributing member of the community.''

Telea started working at TAIC in a temporary position in September 2005 and became permanent in February 2006. His offending started a year later, prompted by the financial pressure of paying a mortgage.

"You say it turned from a need to greed,'' Judge Thomas said.

Telea had attended a restorative justice conference with TAIC during which he had apologised and asked for forgiveness. He had told them he knew the offending was wrong, and that he would be caught.

The $284,341 was stolen in 179 transactions between February 2007 and February 2011, when he left the organisation to go to Bible College in Auckland. He had left the college when his offending came to light.

Telea's lawyer, Carrie Parkin, told the court Telea's family had offered to pay initial reparation of $10,000 but he had initially

refused because he did not want to put that burden on them.

However, he changed his mind and accepted it when Judge Thomas warned he was on the "cusp'' of imprisonment for his offending, which carried a maximum term of seven years.

Ms Parkin told the court Telea's family had had no knowledge of his offending, and that he had been humbled by their support.

"His remorse is very, very genuine,'' she said.