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A man involved in one of the country's biggest benefit frauds today pleaded guilty to multiple fraud and forgery charges.
Wayne Patterson, 47, was arrested following accusations he stole more than $3.2 million from taxpayers in superannuation and welfare benefits.
He pleaded guilty in Waitakere District Court today to 10 charges relating to the use of more than 100 identities to claim various benefits, and will be sentenced in the same court on February 20. Six charges were withdrawn.
Patterson's lawyer Pradeep Singh said his client admitted the charges because he felt it was the right thing to do.
Mr Singh said Patterson had not lived a lavish life despite his thefts, and that most of the money was found at his flat.
The Herald On Sunday reported earlier this month that police raided Patterson's flat in the west Auckland suburb of Massey and uncovered $750,000 buried in the garden, $200,000 and 18 gold bars hidden under the shower, $13,000 in his car and boxes of fake birth certificates, bank cards, driver licences and passports.
Read the Herald on Sunday investigation
Patterson, a former electrician, allegedly received $54,000 a fortnight in sickness beneficiary payments and superannuation through 120 false identities over the past two years, the newspaper said.
Social Development Ministry chief executive Peter Hughes welcomed the conviction but said he couldn't comment further.
"I've had legal advice that to make any detailed statements at this stage risks Wayne Patterson's right to a fair trial in relation to sentencing," Mr Hughes said.
"The ministry is working hard in relation to restitution and I don't wish to compromise our ability to get money back."
Mr Hughes said he would make a full disclosure of the facts associated with the case following sentencing next year.
"This is a serious matter and the Ministry recognises it needs to be accountable. We will be accountable immediately after sentencing."
- NZPA
