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Fallout from the group-sex video involving disgraced former police officer Brad Shipton continues, with Shipton's brother yesterday launching an attack on the woman who released the tape.
Already Rotorua ambulance paramedic Bill McNeilly - who is linked to people in the video - has been stood down from his duties with St John, pending the outcome of a police investigation and a possible internal inquiry.
And yesterday it was reported that the 30-year marriage between Sharon and Brad Shipton is over.
While Mr McNeilly is not in the video, it is understood he had involvement in other group-sex sessions around the same time.
He is the current partner of Debbie Gerbich, the woman who took part in the orgies and released footage of the sex sessions to the Sunday News.
Last night a statement from the ambulance service said: "St John takes the welfare of all of our staff, volunteers and the public seriously.
"The staff member concerned was stood down pending further details of the police investigation and any internal investigation.
"This will enable our staff member to deal with the situation and the media interest without affecting his and our organisational ability to respond to patient needs ..."
Brad Shipton's brother Greg, reacting to Debbie Gerbich's view that, "looking back", she felt manipulated during the orgies with former and current police officers, described her comments as "pathetic".
"That's like saying, 'I gave my mate a lolly 20 years ago because I thought he was a good guy, but since then I've found out he's a bastard so now I want my lolly back'."
If Debbie Gerbich had felt that she had a legal case she should have taken it to her lawyers rather than selling her soul to the media, Greg Shipton said. "And now she's spewing she's been named.
"She says she feels manipulated. We could all say that.
"Looking back in life I was manipulated in my first job, but that's life isn't it, looking back."
He said Debbie Gerbich had already stated she felt the incidents were consensual at the time, and she could not turn around and withdraw consent later on down the track.
A past customer of Debbie Gerbich's former gym and nutrition store in Tauranga described her as a "vivacious, flirty woman with a strong personality".
"She's tallish and athletic and has the implants. She doesn't fit the bill as a victim. She had a bit of a rep as being a good-time-girl."
The source questioned why Debbie Gerbich had released the tapes to the media, concluding that it was for "15 seconds of fame".
Brad Shipton's lawyer, Bill Nabney, said he understood police were investigating other people caught on tape, but he was not aware of any criminal allegation against his client.
The tapes involved consenting adults in the privacy of their own home, he said.
He had "heard some things" about a bondage website that was thought to have featured Debbie Gerbich, but he had not visited the site nor did he know its address.
Greg Shipton said Debbie Gerbich's revelations last week had destroyed the entire Shipton family, who were "good law-abiding members of the community".
