Media Release
13 June 2014
Abuse of trust leads to prison sentence
Michelle Roberta Innes (59) has been sentenced today in the Auckland District Court to four years and three months’
imprisonment.
Ms Innes faced 10 Crimes Act charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) including theft, theft by a person in a
special relationship, and theft by person required to account in relation to theft from her sister. She was found guilty
of all of those charges in a trial in April this year.
The SFO investigation, which started in August 2011, found that between 2001 and 2008 Ms Innes used over a million
dollars entrusted to her by her sister as well as using a Pauanui property owned by her sister as security for mortgages
for her own benefit.
SFO Director, Julie Read said, “This scenario is an unfortunate reminder of the risks involved when financial decisions
are based on trust alone. It is always wise to obtain independent advice in relation to any major decision which could
affect your financial future.”
ENDS