Directors silent about fraudster

Richard Beven.
Richard Beven.
The directors of Wanacare Ltd have declined to explain publicly how convicted fraudster Richard Beven secured a position of trust in Wanaka's health community.

Director Dr Andrew McLeod said yesterday, in response to Otago Daily Times questions, there was still "a further criminal and possible civil action pending'' and he was therefore not able to comment.

On Monday, Beven pleaded guilty in the Queenstown District Court to stealing $730,000 from his employer, Wanacare, and was convicted by Judge Christina Cook.

At that point, the ODT was able to publish details of Beven's previous offences.

Beven worked for a company providing finance for motor vehicle purchases. On eight occasions in 2002 and 2003 he used settlement authorities for fictitious or historical purchases and paid "around $1million'' into his own account.

Beven pleaded guilty in the North Shore District Court to defrauding his employer and was sentenced to three and a-half years' prison.

Inquiries yesterday revealed Beven arrived in Wanaka from Auckland in 2011, during the latter stages of the construction of the Wanaka Lakes Health Centre in Cardrona Valley Rd.

The centre was built by Naylor Love Construction, but Mr Beven's role was as "project manager'' for the client, Wanacare Ltd.

When the centre opened, Beven became its manager, holding the position until he became the subject of police investigations. In January this year, he was charged with the theft in a special relationship of $730,000 from Wanacare and of false accounting.

He denied a charge of theft in a special relationship by stealing $57,194 from a Primary Health Organisation.

Beven is due to surrender himself at the Otago Correctional Facility at Milburn by 5pm today, Judge Cook indicating he would be serving another term of imprisonment.

New Zealand Companies Office records show Wanacare's three current directors, Simon Brebner, Andrew McLeod and Virginia Rutledge, were appointed prior to Beven's employment with the company.

An employer can request from the Ministry of Justice a potential employee's criminal conviction history, provided the employee gives written permission.

mark.price@odt.co.nz

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