Fraudster gran gets $250k out of taxpayer
Now benefit is partly funding repayments, write David Clarkson and Martin van Beynen.
Grandmother Jasmine Kasiana Teowai Hudson is likely to spend her 63rd birthday in jail after pleading guilty to a $250,000 benefit fraud.
An appalled Judge Alistair Garland sent Hudson, who turns 63 in November, home on bail to sort out her affairs before sentencing next month.
Hudson pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court to rorting the welfare system of $246,872.96. At $20 a week repayments, it would take her 236 years to pay off the debt.
Over 15 years, Hudson received an invalid’s benefit, a supported living benefit and reduced Housing New Zealand rent.
Hudson claimed she was not living with a partner, when in fact, she was.
According to court documents, he is Orsogna Moehau, whom she described in statements to the Ministry of Social Development as a ‘‘friend’’ or ‘‘boarder’’.
Her fraud was detected in late 2015.
Outside court on Thursday, Hudson did not want to talk to media, but in court her lawyer, Elizabeth Bulger, hinted at a household in disorder.
‘‘Her children are chaotic,’’ said Bulger, explaining that Hudson had had the care of a grandson since he was four. He was now seven and her daughter was two weeks away from giving birth again.
In a brief interview at her tidy and warm Housing New Zealand house in Woolston where she has lived for 15 years, Hudson said she was embarrassed about the attention and stressed out about her grandson and losing her home.
She would have liked to say something in court but was in too much pain.
‘‘I didn’t know how to express my feelings when the judge put it to me. I just went all blank.’’
Life had at times been cruel to her and two of her four children were in jail. Her daughter was expecting her fourth baby.
On Thursday, prosecutor Jennifer North said the ministry was recovering part of the overpayment from Hudson from the benefit she was now receiving.
‘‘So the taxpayer is continuing to provide her with benefit? Good gracious,’’ Judge Garland said. ‘‘Unbelievable’’.
Hudson will return to court for sentencing on August 25.