The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has laid Crimes Act charges relating to an investigation into the conduct of Linnet Lewis (54).
Ms Lewis first appeared in November 2013 in the Rotorua District Court to face 16 charges of theft by person in special relationship, five charges of dishonestly taking or using a document and five charges of forgery.
She has entered not guilty pleas.
Ms Lewis appeared again on March 3, when name suppression was lifted.
The SFO alleges that clients have lost approximately $1 million through unauthorised withdrawals of their funds by Ms Lewis between 2005 and 2011.
SFO Chief Executive Julie Read said, “When a person is given authority to act on a client’s behalf, the client should be able to trust that services will be provided in a professional manner consistent with the client’s expectations.”
Ms Lewis is scheduled to reappear at the District Court on April 16.
Serious Fraud Office Press Release
