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A senior military officer with an unblemished 38-year record in the New Zealand Army will face a court martial in Trentham for financial irregularities.
Colonel Selwyn Heaton, who was New Zealand's military representative to the United Nations in New York in 2006 and 2007, is accused of breaching his duty-free privileges - reportedly buying around 12 cases of spirits and 200 packets of cigarettes.
He is expected to plead guilty to conduct unbecoming an officer, but close friend Pam Mitchell Lawton, who has know the Heaton family for more than 10 years, believes the action is part of a "witch-hunt" and "a desperate attempt" by the Army to "ruin Selwyn and his career".
Colonel Heaton had been accused of claiming both the UN and New Zealand Defence Force housing allowances, and after an inquiry was asked to pay back $8000 and ordered back to New Zealand.
3 News reported last night that those close to him say he is a scapegoat because defence chiefs have known about the "double dipping" - which they claim has been an accepted practice for many years - and have turned a blind eye to it at the highest levels.
The housing issue was dropped, but prosecutors reportedly pursued Colonel Heaton over other expenses. No charges were laid.
According to 3 News, the Army investigations into Colonel Heaton, who has been suspended on full pay since October, could cost taxpayers as much as $1 million.
