An accountant jailed for stealing thousands of dollars in bogus tax credits spent the money on a "lavish lifestyle of high fashion and luxury overseas travel", it's claimed.
Paul James Lawrence was sentenced in the Auckland District Court today to two years and two months in prison.
Lawrence, who now lives in Rotorua, claimed $278,125 in fake charitable donation tax credits on behalf of 33 unwitting clients at an Auckland accountancy firm, and diverted the money into his own bank accounts.
Speaking after the sentencing, Inland Revenue Group Manager, Investigations and Advice, Patrick Goggin said Lawrence's offending was a total breach of the relationship between a tax accountant and their clients.
"Lawrence held a position of significant responsibility," Mr Goggin said.