Worker's assets frozen over alleged $235k transfer

Georgina Hoturoa Haronga worked for Blundell Concrete from August 2014 until February this year, according to a High Court judge.Photo / File

A judge has frozen the assets of a former concrete company worker who allegedly transferred nearly $180,000 out of its accounts and debited $55,000 from credit cards for "non-company related purposes".

Counties Manukau police are investigating the situation but a spokeswoman said this was in its early stages.

Papakura's Blundell Concrete and a related company went to the High Court earlier this month to get a freezing order against its former worker Georgina Hoturoa Haronga.

Haronga, who did not get a chance to have her say on the freeze, worked for Blundell Concrete from August 2014 until February this year, according to a High Court judge.

"The plaintiffs say that, between 2 June 2015 and 29 January 2016, the defendant used her access to the plaintiffs' bank accounts and credit cards to transfer some $179,026.84 into her own bank accounts and to debit $54,481.60 from company credit cards for non-company related purposes," Justice Matthew Palmer said in his decision on the freeze.

The judge granted the freezing orders, saying he was satisfied that Blundell had a good arguable case against Haronga.

Justice Palmer was also satisfied that there was a "real risk the defendant will dissipate the remaining funds if she is put on notice of the application".

Haronga could not be reached for comment.

Blundell Concrete's director, Craig Blundell, did not wish to comment and said the matter was with the police.

He said the business had about 10 employees.