8 May 2015

Lead offender sentenced in Operation Edit

Anthony John Hendon (54) has been sentenced today in the High Court at Wellington following a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) prosecution.

Mr Hendon received four years imprisonment for reproducing documents with intent to cause loss – charges resulting from a major joint investigation with OFCANZ, the Commerce Commission, New Zealand Customs and Inland Revenue, led by the SFO.

Mr Hendon played a lead role in a scam where advertisers in genuine publications were approached to place similar advertisements in publications to be printed by Mr Hendon. To encourage purchase, the magazines were titled in a way that suggested support of worthwhile causes such as road safety, parenting or family support. Mr Hendon grossly misrepresented the number of magazines to be printed and failed to circulate those magazines as promised. Mr Hendon attempted to obtain more than $1 million under the scam between October 2009 and October 2012 and successfully obtained funds in excess of $750,000.

SFO Director, Julie Read said, “Mr Hendon’s sentencing for his part in these offences is another milestone in a very successful joint operation.”

Two other defendants have already pleaded guilty and were sentenced to home detention and community work. Two further defendants were found guilty yesterday and sentencing for the pair is set down for 12 June 2015.

ENDS

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