A Hamilton woman was jailed for two years and five months after earlier admitting charges of corruption and tax fraud.
Anita Gail O’Connor, a former Inland Revenue Department (IRD) staff member, was sentenced at the Hamilton District Court on February 7 on 163 charges, including 24 charges of corrupt use of official information.
IRD Deputy Commissioner, Mary Craig said that the sentence shows how seriously this type of offending is treated.
“Ms O’Connor’s actions were a betrayal of her responsibilities and the trust put in her as an IRD employee. It was calculated and deliberate behaviour involving theft of public money.”
“This sort of incident is very rare, but is exceptionally disappointing. It is a reflection on the individual, but sadly also impacts on the rest of our staff who have an extremely strong and proud record of public service and integrity.”
Ms O’Connor worked at IRD from 1992 until 2009.
An investigation began almost a year after she left after a customer advised the Department that an incorrect bank account was associated with her account.
The Department found that Ms O’Connor had used the names and details of other people and false identities to gain Working for Families Tax Credits and access child support refunds.
She set up bank accounts under two false names and more than $222,000 was paid into those accounts by IRD between June 2007 and November 2010.
During subsequent interviews, Ms O’Connor admitted her offending.
She said that some of the money was paid to her associates and the rest was used to buy cars, goods and groceries and for gambling.
Ms Craig said IRD is taking steps to recover the money taken by Ms O’Connor.
An Inland Revenue Department Press Release
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