Media release

26 March 2010

Jail is Right But Pay the Money Back Too

People First New Zealand Inc, a national self advocacy organisation run by and for people with intellectual disability, is pleased with today’s outcome for the fraudster who stole $600,000 of money donated to people with intellectual disability.

People First members, Jason Bailey, Lyle Whitehouse and Darryl Demondy, who witnessed today’s sentencing said, “We are glad she has gone to jail and we can now get on with our lives. We will even happier when all the money is paid back”.

National Manager, Cindy Johns says, “The fraud at IHC has affected members of People First deeply. The situation has been discussed at meetings around New Zealand and, along with shock, anger and disappointment, issues of trust and the worries about future donations were raised”.

Most people with intellectual disability require paid staff in their lives and often for very personal tasks and this requires high trust. The fact that a trusted staff person of IHC has stolen money now has members wondering, “Who can they trust?”“.

Additionally People First members are worried that people who have donated money to assist people with intellectual disabilities may think twice about this now. Members do not want this to happen as the effect will be even less for people with intellectual disability.

ENDS

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