By TERRY MADDAFORD
Disgraced Olympic marathon runner Jeff Julian blames a financial mix-up for the chain of events which ended yesterday with his being jailed for two years.
The sentencing, in the Auckland District Court, came two weeks after Julian was declared bankrupt.
Speaking in Mt Eden Prison before being sentenced, 64-year-old Julian said he would accept whatever the court decided should be his fate.
"I have to go through the process," he said.
He spent almost six weeks on remand in Mt Eden after pleading guilty to defrauding American Express and Diners Club International of more than $400,000.
"There is only one reason I'm here," he said. "The funds due to me last year from overseas have not come through.
"I used my credit cards in an illegal way after I was told the funds were coming shortly.
"Even if they came now, that would not necessarily be the end of the matter - not in the eyes of the Serious Fraud Office or the police.
"I would still be charged, but if the money was repaid they might see it differently."
Julian, born in Taumarunui, spent his early years in Awarua and Ruawai, where he joined the Bank of New Zealand. As an 18-year-old he transferred to Auckland.
He trained under legendary coach Arthur Lydiard and represented New Zealand in marathons at the Olympics in Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964.
After 36 years with the BNZ he was made redundant, and embarked on a couple of business ventures, including selling live aloe vera to farmers.
"If the Government had not stopped me selling aloe vera, I would not be here today. It cost me a lot of money."
Julian said he had adjusted to being shut off from the outside world.
"I don't want to give people my problems. Life is about getting used to what each day brings. I don't know how things will turn out.
"The only person I'm bitter with is myself. Once it became a criminal matter I accepted it had to be addressed.
"It has been a year of some pretty tough times."
Jailed runner blames mix-up
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