Former Labour candidate to be sentenced for fraud

A JP and former Labour Party general election candidate is to be sentenced in Auckland next month on fraud charges relating to more than $84,000.

David Maka this week pleaded guilty to four charges of deception causing financial loss to two individuals, a trust, and a street cleaning fund.

The offences occurred between June 2004 and June 2005, with one individual losing more than $68,000.

The 49-year-old supervisor's lawyer, Nelson Tupou, said today that reparation for the total amount was paid this afternoon.

According to a summary of facts presented in Auckland District Court, Maka asked to borrow money, which he said would be used to release funds from an offshore account.

He suggested to his victims that the account held US$15 million ($24m).

Because of their relationship with Maka, they had no reason to doubt him, the summary of facts said.

But whenever they asked him where their money was, Maka would come up with a reason why funds had not been released and would ask for more money.

The cycle continued until the victims refused to hand over any more.

Maka, who has had to sell his house to pay reparation, is due to be sentenced on June 13.

He was No 50 on the Labour Party list for the 2002 general election, missing out on a seat in Parliament.

He sought nomination for the Tamaki electorate for last year's election, but later withdrew his candidacy.

- NZPA