NZ documents boost $3.8m fraud case

The case against New Zealand-born Harry Bentley Gordon, who has admitted faking his own death, has been greatly strengthened because of documents found by New South Wales police in New Zealand, a court was told yesterday.

Gordon, 56, and his daughter Josaphine, 30, appeared in Raymond Terrace Local Court, north of Newcastle.

Josaphine Gordon is accused of conspiring with her father to cash in a A$3.5 million ($3.8 million) life insurance policy.

Gordon disappeared after his boat was found near Port Stephens in 2000. He set up a new life in Auckland and married a woman two months before he flew to Sydney last month, only to be arrested as he got off the plane.

Gordon had pleaded guilty to obtaining money by deception, making false representations and passport offences. His daughter has yet to plead to charges of conspiracy to defraud and perjury.

After an inquest in April 2001, coroner John Abernethy ruled that Gordon had drowned, thrown overboard when his boat ran into a navigation marker.

Magistrate Colin Elliott was told yesterday the prosecution case against Gordon and his daughter had been greatly strengthened by documents recently discovered by Australian police in New Zealand.

Mr Elliott ordered a pre-sentence report on Gordon before a possible sentencing hearing on February 13.

Gordon was remanded in custody. His daughter was released on bail and will be back in court the same day.

Gordon's first wife, Sheila Gordon, last week appeared in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court charged with conspiracy to defraud an insurance company of $3.5 million and obtaining benefit by deception for $25,000 over the alleged conspiracy. She will reappear in court next year.

A police statement to the Waverley Local Court on November 9 revealed Mrs Gordon told police in August that her husband was alive and living in New Zealand under his new name of Robert Motzel.

Australian police discovered Robert Motzel had married a New Zealand woman, Kristine Newsome, early in September.

- NZPA