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Wellington accountant Graham Edward McCready, who brought a private prosecution against then-Cabinet Minister Trevor Mallard, was today sentenced to six months' home detention.
McCready, 64, last month initially pleaded not guilty in Wellington District Court to 50 charges of filing false GST and income tax claims for clients, then spending much of the refunds.
He then changed his plea to guilty on a reduced number of charges.
Judge Mike Behrens QC today said that despite the guilty pleas, he did not accept McCready took responsibility for his actions.
McCready's clients had been people with little knowledge of tax law, and he pocketed about $49,000 from false claims between 2001 and 2006.
In 2007 McCready brought a private prosecution against Labour MP Mr Mallard for assaulting National MP Tau Henare outside Parliament's debating chamber.
Mr Mallard lashed out at Mr Henare, who had been taunting him about his private life.
He was convicted of fighting in a public place and ordered to pay $500 to the Salvation Army Bridge programme, which deals with alcohol and drug dependency.
- NZPA
