17 December 2015
Trusted employees sentenced for corrupt behaviour
Two former employees of Thermakraft Industries (NZ) Ltd (Thermakraft) appeared in the Auckland District Court today and
were sentenced for fraud and corruption.
Peter Sanele and Mark Treadwell had faced charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and pleaded guilty to those
charges in October this year.
Mr Sanele was sentenced to 10 months on home detention.
Mr Treadwell was sentenced to five months on community detention and 200 hours of community work.
A Secret Commissions Act charge against the pair related to a company in which Mr Sanele and Mr Treadwell had an
interest, JMP Transport Ltd (JMP), which supplied freight services to Thermakraft. The defendants secretly received
kickbacks for contracts between JMP and Thermakraft.
Two other charges against Mr Sanele related to a company MacPallets, which supplied pallets and other packaging
materials to Thermakraft. Between 2009 and 2013, Mr Sanele submitted 51 false invoices to Thermakraft on behalf of
MacPallets.
The total amounts received by Mr Sanele and Mr Treadwell as a result of their offending were $261,030 and $90,000
respectively.
SFO Director, Julie Read said, “Mr Sanele and Mr Treadwell’s behaviour diminished the hard work of their honest
colleagues and could have damaged Thermakraft’s business. Regardless of the scope or size, the SFO is committed to
prosecuting individuals who misuse their positions corruptly for financial benefit because, ultimately, the entire
country’s business reputation is at risk.”
ENDS