Judgement day: Queenstown fraudster Richie Anderson during sentencing in Queenstown District Court
A Wakatipu man convicted of defrauding Queenstown’s National Sevens charity tournament has been sentenced to 10 months home detention.
Judge Mike Turner dished out the sentence to Richie Anderson in Queenstown District Court today (Monday), also ordering him to repay more than $48,000 in outstanding reparation within two years.
Judge Turner told the court an initial sentence of 21 months imprisonment was considered but he took into account Anderson’s decision to plead guilty last month. Anderson is required to serve his home-based sentence at a property in Lake Hayes.
Anderson pleaded guilty to three charges of deceiving the tournament organising committee Sevens with Altitude of $62,431.05 between January, 2009 and October, 2010.
The ex-policeman and real estate agent paid upfront for accommodation and air travel for visiting teams but claimed larger amounts from the committee for reimbursement.
Anderson, largely responsible for bringing the tournament to the resort 10 years ago, has already repaid more than $13,000, with about $48,600 outstanding.
Judge Turner ordered Anderson to start repaying the outstanding amount at $20 a week from September 18.
Anticipated proceeds from the sale of a motor vehicle owned by Anderson, along with land and a business which he has an interest in are also to go towards paying back the money.
Judge Turner described Anderson’s deception as a gross abuse of trust which deprived local sporting groups of funding.
Anderson’s lawyer Phena Byrne told the court Anderson’s good work in bringing the Sevens tournament to Queenstown had been of huge benefit to the community, notwithstanding the fact that was now overshadowed.
People sound more annoyed at the committees implication?
14 Sep 2012 04:20PMEL Nacho
Apology?
Will he ever apologise to the wee children he ripped off? Will he be man enough to apologise to the 7s guys he attempted to implicate? Will he say sorry to the businesses he defrauded?
13 Sep 2012 06:59PMTwins
Charity Theft
This is the lowest of the low. Theft from children and charities! Its a disgrace that this guy isn't in prison. He was a Police Officer, he should know better. He also tried to drag members of the committee into it before he finally plead guilty. Its a stain on the Arrowtown community.
What other acitivities was he involved with, that now need the accounts forensically examined for more wrong-doing?
13 Sep 2012 08:58AMsam1
I think that people should focus on all the great things this man has done. A few bad decision does not define a person or trivialize what he has accomplished for our kids and the community. Like anyone mentioned in the media (good or bad) family is implicated and people should keep this in mind before posting comments. My family and I will continue to go to the 7s this year as it is a great family day out.. Considering the entrance fee hasn't increase 100 per cent again... Maybe that's why the7s people made such a big profit last year?
12 Sep 2012 03:54PMEL Nacho
heartbroken
you stole money from my kids rugby, then turned up at our sports day and pretended you didn't do it. if i did that i would be ashamed of myself
11 Sep 2012 06:15PMrugbykids
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