30 May 2002

Davy Prison Sentence Shows Astor Should Have Been Prosecuted

"The eight month prison sentence and fraud conviction of former Maori TV Chief Executive John Davy reinforces the case for extraditing and prosecuting fake Nelson psychiatrist Linda Astor," says Nelson MP Nick Smith.

"Mr Davy faked his CV and received $80,000 of public money to which he was not entitled. Dr Astor received over $400,000 of public money from Nelson/Marlborough and Hutt Valley Health under false pretence, but more importantly mistreated hundreds of patients including one who went on and killed an innocent person.

"It is not just that Dr Astor got away scot-free, while Mr Davy gets locked up for eight months," said Dr Smith.

Dr Smith has been trying to persuade police that there is a strong case to prosecute Dr Astor. Dr Astor's references and CV proved to be false and there are serious questions over her identity. Late last year she was arrested in the United States for shoplifting and deported to Poland. She was again working under false pretence in the mental health sector.

"Fraudsters like John Davy and Linda Astor should be prosecuted and jailed to send a clear message to overseas persons applying for work in New Zealand that they must not lie about their qualifications and experience. We also do a disservice to the international community by not prosecuting, in that they often repeat their offending against innocent people in some other corner of the world."

Dr Smith says he remains frustrated that police have provided no explanation as to why they will not extradite and prosecute Ms Astor, despite clear evidence of a false CV.

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