The former Rotorua man dubbed the runaway millionaire has been sentenced to four years seven months in jail after he stole more than $6.7 million from Westpac.
Hui "Leo'' Gao transferred cash into overseas bank accounts held by his parents before fleeing New Zealand early in 2009.
The 31-year-old formerRotorua businessman appeared in the Rotorua District Court this morning before Judge Phillip Cooper for sentencing after pleading guilty in June to seven charges of theft, totalling more than $6.7 million.
According to the police summary of facts, days after applying for a $100,000 bank overdraft for his struggling Rotorua BP petrol station, Gao realised the bank had mistakenly given him a $10 million limit.
A flatmate overheard him yelling in April 2009 "f***ing rich ...'' Gao then set about transferring millions from his business account to personal accounts in his name and those of his parents.
