Employee allegedly gave false references to secure her role
A former Oranga Tamariki (OT) employee has been accused of money laundering and deceiving her employer by forging a document to land her role.
Neha Sharma allegedly gave false references to secure her job as property manager at OT, where she was responsible for managing aspects of properties in the Canterbury region, according to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
While on the job, the SFO claimed that Neha set up the company owned by her husband, Amandeep Sharma, as a contractor without declaring conflict of interest.
The pair worked to ensure that the firm, Divine Company, would get deals over other approved suppliers.
"They allegedly worked together to submit and approve invoices throughout 2021 and 2022, at no stage declaring a conflict of interest to OT," the SFO said in a media release.
Overall, OT paid Divine Connection just over $2 million, where $800,000 was transferred to overseas bank accounts in India, according to the SFO.
Charges against Sharma
Neha is now facing charges of obtaining by deception, money laundering, and using a forged document.
Her husband appeared in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday, while Neha was reported to be in India and had just given birth in the past week.
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Crown prosecutor Karyn South, acting on behalf of the SFO, requested an arrest warrant and requested Amandeep to surrender his passport, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Neha has also been issued a warrant, according to the report, but it will lie in court until the next appearance.
A restraining order has been issued by the High Court over the couple's properties in New Zealand, according to the SFO.
Regarding the stolen money in India, the office said the funds have been located and restrained following efforts from the Police Asset Recovery Unit and their colleagues in India.
"We would like to acknowledge the Police and Indian authorities for their swift action and assistance in securing the defendants' assets, as well as the co-operation of Oranga Tamariki in the investigation," SFO director Karen Chang said in a statement.
The defendants are expected to appear in court on July 26, 2023.