Runaway millionaire's trial date set

Kara Hurring faces charges of money laundering and theft of $6.7 million. Photo / Alan Gibson

A trial has been set down down for Rotorua "runaway millionaire" Kara Hurring.

In Rotorua District Court this morning, a five-day trial was set for February 20, with a pre-trial hearing to be held on February 14.

Hurring, who was not present in court today, fled New Zealand in April 2009 after a $10 million overdraft facility was mistakenly loaded by Westpac into her partner Hui `Leo' Gao's account.

A total of $6.78m was allegedly transferred into other accounts before he and Hurring left for Hong Kong.

This month, theft and money laundering charges originally laid against the 32-year-old were dropped and replaced by fresh charges, including two of international money laundering to the value of more than HK$1.5 million [$230,000] relating to activities in Macau.

A further 26 charges of theft to the value of approximately $11,000 were also laid, as well as two counts of attempting to use a document.

It was also revealed that Hurring gave birth to a baby boy while in China, and was forced to return home due to passport issues.

Hurring is next due in court on September 9, when an application by her lawyer Simon Lance to have all the charges dismissed will be heard.

- APNZ