Some members of Dunedin's dental fraternity have expressed surprise at allegations of financial irregularities against one of their own.
Detective Sergeant Brett Roberts, of the Dunedin CIB, confirmed yesterday police had received a complaint and were investigating.
He would not detail the specifics of the complaint, saying the investigation was "a complicated matter" and could take some months, he said.
It is understood the complaint involves invoicing, which allegedly led to the dental practice he was associated with to reimburse the dentist for more than his legitimate entitlement.
Word appears to have spread through the dental fraternity about the police investigation.
Several people in the industry spoken to by the Otago Daily Times this week indicated shock.
The dentist was employed at the University of Otago dental school, plus was seeing patients privately.
It is understood he was suspended from the dental school on full pay late last year pending the police investigation outcome and resigned last month, before investigations were complete.
University human resources director Kevin Seales confirmed the man was no longer employed by the university, but would not comment further.
When approached at his Dunedin home yesterday, the man said he had no comment to make about the allegation.
He said he was "comfortable about everything" and comfortable about his "decision to move on from his academic role".
He requested the ODT not write an article about the allegation, and said there was always more than one side to a story.
