The Queensland government has frozen paintings, a baby grand piano, jet skis, luxury cars and almost $4.5 million in cash from a Kiwi man accused of fleecing $16 million (NZ$21m) from Queensland Health.
The state government sought and was granted an emergency restraining order in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Friday following advice from the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) and police about the alleged theft.
Court documents reveal assets belonging to Hohepa Morehu-Barlow, also known as Joel Barlow, have been frozen until a further hearing early next year.
An affidavit filed by Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Gough outlines how he and other officers were called to the Queensland Health building in Charlotte Street last Thursday, where they met with the department's deputy director general of finance, Neil Castle.
Det Snr Sgt Gough says he was told by Mr Castle that a financial audit revealed an A$11 million lump sum had been transferred from the public purse on November 17 into a Commonwealth Bank account in the name of Healthy Choices and Initiatives.
