[The following is based on text recognition and may contain errors. Please refer to the original PDF.]

PRESS RELEASE
Date: 25 October 2013

"I am in no way linked to my ex-husband's crimes" says Ms Jeannette Chapman, student advocate.

In a recent article in the Manawatu Standard, journalist Jimmy Ellingham suggested that Ms Chapman was linked to the fraudulent behaviour of her ex-husband, Lindsay Norman Kirk Chapman. Mr Chapman was sentenced to three years jail for a large number of fraud charges he pleaded guilty to in 2006.

“My ex-husband’s criminal offending almost destroyed my life and the lives of my two young daughters. We were completely in the dark about his crimes until the Police visited our home and arrested him some years back” says Ms Chapman, “lt is extremely hurtful to be publicly associated with Lindsay’s crimes which I had no knowledge of at the time he was committing them."

"After my ex-husband was arrested I discovered that he had stolen money from our family’s life savings during the course of our relationship. Since my ex-husband’s crime was uncovered, I have had to struggle to rebuild my life and the lives of my two young daughters to ensure they have a bright future".

"As a result of the media's attempt to connect me with my ex-husband's fraudulent behaviour I have received hateful and hurtful comments from members of the public. My girls and I suffered through similar comments as well as death threats at the time Lindsay’s fraudulent behaviour was first uncovered. My daughter's and I are now being subjected to the same torment we went through then."

“I would ask that people take time to consider the hurtful comments they make to me, and the effect these might have on my daughters."

On the recent events surrounding the Massey University Extramural Students' Society, Ms Chapman says that "there is a large amount of misinformation floating around in the media which has been fuelled by a small number of people who do not agree with the way in which some decisions were made."

“Throughout my time as President of the Massey University Extramural Students’ Society, I worked tirelessly to advance the interests of extramural students. I was also on over 25 Boards and Committees ensuring the students’ voices were heard. I was grateful to receive an honorarium of $23,000.00 per year during my time as President."

"While President of the Massey University Extramural Students' Society, I also held down a part-time role as Co-ordinator of services for a separate Massey University student organisation, the Massey University Students' Association Federation. The Registrar of Massey University approved an annual saiary of $30,000.00 for this role. My roles as President and Co-ordinator were quite distinct. The suggestion that I received over $50,000,00 for being the President ofthe Massey University Extramural Students’ Society is incorrect and entirely baseless. I am disappointed that this distinction has been missed by the media in reporting around this issue."

[PRESS RELEASE ENDS]

© Scoop Media