Prison likely for Catholic fraudster

A Porirua woman who stole more than $1.2 million from a Catholic society is facing a jail term. File photo / NZ Herald

A Porirua woman has pleaded guilty to defrauding a 142-year-old Catholic society of more than $1 million.

Susan Terri Hagai, of Titahi Bay, 45, pleaded guilty in Wellington District Court today to one charge of obtaining $1,242,750 by deception between April 29, 2004, and last December 14.

Through her lawyer, Chris Stevenson, she also pleaded guilty to four counts of causing loss by deception.

She was remanded by Judge Tim Broadmore to appear for sentencing at Wellington District Court on October 28.

Judge Broadmore indicated a prison sentence was likely.

During her brief appearance Hagai did not say anything as she stood in the dock with her head bowed.

A large contingency of Hibernian Catholic Benefit Society members were in court to hear the plea.

Outside court, active Hibernian for more than 25 years Des Darroch said they were relieved she pleaded guilty.

"It's just awful to think that these kind of people, these predatory people, exist in our society."

He knew of one woman who had lost $20,000 of her retirement fund and another man who lost $35,000 which came from a family estate. Mr Darroch said he had lost less than $5000.

"We just trusted her so much, and we are just so unhappy about what has taken place, the real sadness is the number of innocent small people that have lost their very valuable savings in these difficult times."

Hagai was a receptionist at the Society and was well known to members, he said.

She dealt with small withdrawals during her time as receptionist.