The Ministry of Transport’s general manager of organisational development has reportedly fled to Canada following her sacking over alleged fraud.
One News broke the story last night, alleging Joanne Harrison been sacked over missing funds, understood to total between $750,000 to $1 million.
The money was supposedly obtained through false contracting arrangements.
The Serious Fraud Office has investigated.
Ministry chief executive Peter Mersi, less than a week into his new job, told One News he staff felt “betrayed” by their former colleague.
“My focus is on ensuring this person is held fully to account for her actions, and that any money that may have been misappropriated is recovered.
“In light of what has happened, it is prudent to confirm that our systems, processes and controls are robust. To provide this assurance, a number of reviews are now under way. These focus on internal controls and recruitment processes,” Mersi said.
“This was a senior staff member in a position of high trust, and my staff feel incredibly let down and betrayed by her actions.”
As a senior manager, Harrison was one of five people reporting directly to the chief executive and was authorised to spend money without sign-off. Harrison previously went by the name Joanne Sharp, and had worked for Tower Insurance and Far North District Council, where she again had a senior leadership position.
