The Ministry of Transport staffer who allegedly fled to Canada over misappropriated funds has been arrested and charged on her return to New Zealand.
Joanne Harrison has been accused by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of defrauding the Ministry of $726,000.
Harrison, also known as Joanne Sharp, appeared at the Manukau District Court on Friday after being arrested on arrival at Auckland International Airport for three Crimes Act charges of dishonestly taking or using a document.
The SFO alleges that the ministry paid approximately $726,000 to entities associated with Harrison during her employ at the ministry from April 2011 until July 2016.
Following her departure, questions were raised by the ministry’s management team, resulting in an internal investigation that unearthed suspicious payments. Thereafter, the matter was referred to the SFO.
Harrison, in custody, has not entered a plea and will next appear at the Manukau District Court on August 16, 2016.
A request for name suppression was not been granted.
Harrison became aware earlier this year that questions were being asked at the ministry about missing money according to Labour transport spokeswoman Sue Moroney in a Stuff article.
It is supposed she left New Zealand for England where she has family in Barnsley as far back as April, after possibly approving her own leave.
