SFO lays charges in alleged $2M fraud

Serious Fraud Office lays charges in alleged $2M fraud

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced this week that it had laid charges against Ian Victor Petersen, a 61 year old from Waikanae.

The SFO allege that Mr Petersen, while acting as an accountant, tax agent and investment advisor, obtained in excess of $2M, including an amount written off by the Inland Revenue Department in respect of a tax liability.

The charges relate to the alleged misuse of client funds which were paid to Mr Petersen by various clients for specific purposes and the use of certain documents for the purpose of reducing a tax liability.

Mr Petersen appeared in the Porirua District Court having been charged with thirteen counts of theft by a person required to account; twenty counts of theft by person in special relationship; one count of using a document with intent to defraud and one count of dishonestly using a document.

Mr Petersen was remanded on bail, without plea, to reappear on 20 August 2010.

ENDS

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