April 04, 2017
Charge laid in Roopu Taurima fraud
The Serious Fraud Office has charged the former asset manager of Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust with fraud.
Saul Brendan Roberts was also charged under the Secret Commissions Act with defrauding Te Kawerau a Maki Iwi Tribal Authority, of which he was a trustee.
Te Roopu Taurima is the country’s country's only intellectual disability residential Kaupapa Maori provider. Looking after more than 250 clients.
Roberts and another person who still has name suppression will reappear in the Manukau District Court next month.
The SFO alleges Roberts received cash kickbacks in return for contracting work to suppliers, including businesses owned by the other defendant.
SFO director Julie Read says deliberate acts of fraud against a public health care provider and a charitable trust are completely unacceptable and a matter of huge public concern.
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