Jailed fraudster Joanne Harrison ‘came across as so sweet’
Jailed fraudster Joanne Harrison has a habit of leaving destruction in her wake, one estranged relative says.
‘‘Nobody believed us when we told people what she had done, as she always came across as so sweet and innocent.’’
Harrison, 50, has been jailed for three years and seven months after swindling taxpayers out of about $723,000 while working for the Ministry of Transport.
Her relative cut ties with her several years ago, after what she called a destructive and hurtful relationship.
‘‘She is a complete piece of work and having had first-hand experience with her, no actions she has undertaken would surprise me.’’
In handing down Harrison’s sentence in Manukau District Court yesterday, Judge Sanjay Patel said there was ‘‘clearly premeditation’’ to her offending, with the majority of the funds used to pay off personal credit cards and the home loan in her name.
He noted it was the second time she had been before the courts for this type of offending, and said he hoped she would not do it again.
‘‘There’s been clear expressions of remorse. I truly hope this is in a genuine effort.’’
Serious Fraud Office prosecutor Sarah Allen said no reparation was sought because of separate civil action that had been taken to recover assets linked to Harrison. However, she said little discount should be given for any remorse, because Harrison had ‘‘frustrated’’ the civil action.
Harrison’s lawyer, Nathan Bourke, said she had shown genuine remorse in coming back to New Zealand to face charges, as well as trying to access her KiwiSaver fund to pay reparations. ‘‘She reached effectively her rockbottom ... she’s lost everything.’’
Judge Patel did not find there was enough evidence to suggest she was endeavouring to frustrate the civil proceedings.
In Wellington, two of her former ministry colleagues described Harrison as persuasive but divisive and glib. Her ability to advance herself professionally concerned some colleagues but, until she disappeared for Canada and was accused of fraud, all they had was a bad feeling about her.
‘‘She came across as caring and giving. She would really be out to divide and conquer.’’
News of Harrison’s fraud broke just days after ministry chief executive Peter Mersi took over last July. Mersi was pleased at the sentence. ‘‘Joanne operated a sophisticated deception, where she abused her trusted senior position at taxpayers’ expense.
‘‘Through the calculated abuse of procurement practices at the ministry, Harrison awarded contracts to entities that were created for her benefit,’’ Mersi said.
Harrison had previously worked in banking, insurance and public administration sectors.
The court heard Harrison had a previous conviction in New Zealand for fraud, before she took a job at the Ministry of Transport.
In Australia, earlier this decade, Harrison was the general manager of organisational development at Goulburn-Murray Water.
There, fraud allegations were made ‘‘against a former senior manager’’, The Weekly Times reported in August, soon after the latest fraud was exposed.
The same paper reported years earlier that the local police fraud squad was investigating Harrison.
‘‘The probe centres on tens of thousands of dollars alleged to have been paid to Mrs Harrison,’’ The Melbourne Observer reported.
However, Victoria Police would not say whether Harrison was a person of interest in that case.
Labour transport spokeswoman Sue Moroney said the Ministry of Transport fraud raised serious questions about the ministry’s background-checking processes.
Moroney, who was in court for Harrison’s sentencing, said: ‘‘I’m pleased to see that justice has been served.’’
The civil case is ongoing.