26 Jan 2018

Security guard to repay $250k after defrauding DHB

1:18 pm on 26 January 2018

A hospital security guard who defrauded Auckland District Health Board of more than $250,000 has been ordered to repay the money before sentencing next month.

Outside the Auckland District Court on Albert Street.

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Vasu Munsamy falsely invoiced the DHB 60 times for general labour work totalling $261,784.96 from a business of which he was the sole director.

The court was told the work by B & V Enterprises, which was supposedly done between October 2008 and April 2012, was never happened. Munsamy was a security guard contracted to the health board at the time.

A jury found him guilty last year of all 60 charges of dishonesty using a document.

Stephen Paterson, who was the senior manager who approved the invoices, was also found guilty of stealing and was sentenced last year to community work.

Munsamy's lawyer, Martin Hislop, told Auckland District Court his client sold his house, which had improvements for his disabled wife, in order to make the repayment.

The initial sentencing three months ago was postponed to allow Munsamy to sell his house, the court was told.

Judge Mary-Beth Sharp ordered the full amount to be repaid today and indicated she would sentence Munsamy to home detention next month.