Client blackmailed lawyer

Currie allegedly threatened to disclose information about his lawyer, including that he was in a relationship with a prostitute. Photo / CityLife South

An Auckland man was yesterday convicted of blackmailing his lawyer by demanding $350,000 for keeping quiet about allegations he was in a relationship with a prostitute and used methamphetamine.

The High Court at Auckland was told Paul Desmond Currie, 45, tried to extort the cash from the lawyer when he lost $200,000 in a divorce settlement.

He will be sentenced on September 16. The Auckland lawyer's identity is suppressed.

Crown prosecutor Nick Flanagan said the lawyer acted for Currie during his marriage break-up. Currie was not happy with the settlement and aired his grievances in a letter to his lawyer.

He alleged the lawyer used drugs and prostitutes and threatened to tell the Law Society and others if he was not given $351,886 in compensation.

Currie's then partner was a prostitute and his lawyer had used her services many years earlier.

Defence lawyer Richard Earwaker said Currie accepted he tried to achieve a final settlement for his lawyer's perceived negligence and misconduct after representing him for a number of years, but denied blackmail.

- NZPA