Phoney prince up for parole
Fake Tahitian prince Joel MorehuBarlow could be released from prison in Australia any day, but will pay for his $16 million fraud for the rest of his life.
Morehu-Barlow, pulled off Queensland’s single largest fraud, stealing millions over four years, living a life of luxury while telling colleagues and friends he wasa Polynesian Prince.
He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2013 for fraud and drug possession and became eligible for parole last month. Queensland officials are considering whether to release and deport him to New Zealand.
His offending was a source of deep embarrassment to the Queensland Government, because it went undetected for so long, and the revelation of previous convictions for fraud in New Zealand led to better trans-Tasman information-sharing.
Auckland lawyer Paul Dalkie said Queensland would be keen to rid themselves as soon as they could.
‘‘The absurdity is this guy goes to Queensland and first of all he gets into the country having had convictions here in New Zealand for dishonesty.
‘‘Lo and behold he gets a job where he’s got his hands in the cookie jar, and explains away the Louis Vuitton suits by claiming he’s a Tahitian prince. The whole thing’s nutty. As soon as he comes up for parole, I’d have him extradited and just get rid of him.’’
Dalkie said the Queensland Government could continue to chase Morehu-Barlow for the outstanding millions he owes them by placing an order with the High Court in New Zealand.
When Morehu-Barlow was detained in 2011, police found a massive trove of luxury items, including Louis Vuitton briefcases and golf bags with his fictitious HRH initials, standing for His Royal Highness, inscribed on them.
Luxury items including artwork, statues, a model yacht, six litres of Hennessy Cognac, valued at $25,000, were auctioned to recoup some of the money.
But even after the sale of two properties, more than $10m was still missing.
Queensland Corrective Services would not discuss the matter.