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The conman extraordinaire who swindled millions from Work and Income in the country's biggest benefit scam is guaranteed one thing when he's released from prison - a dole cheque.
Wayne Thomas Patterson is now three weeks into an eight-year prison sentence for using more than 120 identities to fleece Work and Income of $3.4 million. Ministry of Social Development chief executive Peter Hughes confirmed Patterson would be entitled to a benefit once he was released.
But the hope was he'd be able to use his vast array of skills to eventually find employment. Then he could begin paying taxes and making a contribution to society, Hughes said.
Hughes, who said he got to know Patterson well during the month-long fraud investigation, has taken the unusual step of writing to the 47-year-old in prison, urging the conman to think about what he wants to do in future. Hughes admitted he had even toyed with the idea of employing Patterson in the future to help Work and Income detect potential benefit fraudsters. But he just couldn't be trusted, he said.
"Whatever happens, we will watch him closely. He will be under scrutiny like no one else in the country," Hughes said.
