Fraudster at Maori TV for past year

A convicted fraudster has been working at the Maori Television Service for the past year, causing yet another political headache at the state-owned broadcaster.

Alecia Royal, who was jailed for her part in a million-dollar student loan fraud, was given the job without it being advertised and despite management knowing of her conviction.

Royal, who received a 15-month jail sentence in 1997 for her part in the Wellington-based fraud ring, resigned about two weeks ago.

TV3 reported last night that she had been employed in the Auckland offices of Maori Television as a personal assistant to former newsreader Joanna Paul, the head of programming.

Last year the service was hit by scandal after it hired Canadian conman John Davy as its chief executive, then sacked him when it was found he had lied about his background.

Royal was employed by interim management after Davy left.

Maori Television spokesman Chris Wikaira said there had been "full disclosure" of Royal's convictions. Her work was exemplary and she had left after an offer of work elsewhere.

Mr Wikaira said there was no reason for her job to be advertised, because it was a temporary contract.

The interim management team in place after Davy's departure had been advised that knowing "she had done her time" and not giving her a job could leave them open to employment action.

Act MP Rodney Hide said the job was "yet another example of jobs for mates".

It followed not only Davy's departure but the resignation of manager Tame Te Rangi from the Maori broadcasting funding agency Te Mangai Paho in March after the revelation of his conviction for theft.