Maori TV fraudster: It's Kiwi injustice

John Davy. Photo / Kenny Rodger

The man who faked his CV to become the first boss of Maori Television believes his sentence was harsh compared with what has since happened to a public servant who falsified her CV.

Canadian John Davy served three months in jail in 2002 for falsely claiming he held a master of business administration degree, had worked for international organisations such as World Wildlife Fund and was a national fencing champion.

At his sentencing, Judge Phil Moran said Davy - who was caught out after a Herald investigation - was a "conman" and there was a clear need to send a message to others who might be tempted to do the same.

In March, Judge Bruce Davidson sentenced former Immigration Service boss Mary Anne Thompson to 100 hours of community service and fined her $10,000 for falsely claiming she had a doctorate from the London School of Economics.

Davy contacted the Herald to complain about the difference in "justice" between the two sentences.

In one email, he said: "Thompson defrauds the government with a phony PhD and sucks out [a salary] over a few years ... Judge Davidson sees no criminal aspect and gives her 100 hours and a $10,000 fine.

"Me, I am in the job less than three months, absolutely no damage was done to Maori TV ... I get eight months in jail by Judge [Moran]. Am I missing something here? Where was Davidson when I needed him?"

Davy was deported to Canada an hour after he was released from prison, but his past has followed him.

In a follow-up email, he said he had contacted Television New Zealand many times to request the removal of a Google link on its website to his name.

"I am still having trouble making a living and I now have two young kids to support. So perhaps New Zealand can give me real justice, not the kind dished out at my trial."

TVNZ confirmed this week that Davy had been in touch with chief executive Rick Ellis, but spokeswoman Megan Richards said the broadcaster would never consider removing a link from the search engine.

MP Hone Harawira, who was a member of the team that selected Maori Television board members at the time, said Davy had only himself to blame for his predicament.

"The guy lied. I have no sympathy for him - suck it up."