Rich says police should have been told of fraud at ACC

Four ACC staff have been sacked for dishonesty in the past year - but only one has been reported to police.

And another five ACC staff received warnings for dishonesty, according to information released to National MP Katherine Rich by the corporation's Minister, Ruth Dyson.

Those who were sacked were caught falsifying medical records and ACC records relating to client cases.

Mrs Rich said the corporation should complain to police about all cases in which staff are sacked.

"If there's enough information to fire someone for dishonesty, there should be enough to prosecute," she said.

"Letting these people off the hook shows disregard for the taxpayer, and the work people expect ACC to be doing. So much for zero tolerance of fraud."

Mrs Rich said faith in the ACC system depended on fair treatment for staff and clients. It was an extensive list of dishonesty offences and ACC should have referred more than one to police.

Mrs Rich found, through questions to Ms Dyson, that ACC had gained convictions against two of the companies or individuals it contracts to look after clients.

It also emerged that the corporation has only just started to keep statistics on fraud carried out by contractors.

She said ACC needed to put more effort into monitoring those it hired to work with clients. Mrs Rich had spoken with staff in ACC who believed there was fraudulent activity the corporation was not picking up on.

- Herald on Sunday