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The-Fake prince-Barlow-Of-Queensland
April 12, 20167:09am
AT HIS height, Joel Morehu-Barlow lived a existence of extravagance.
He owned fancy vehicles, a $95,000 tv, a lifestyles-size reproduction of a black stallion and a $five.5 million riverfront condominium. His dresser protected garments embroidered with the letters HRH and a crown. He became no royal but he performed the part well.
When all of it got here tumbling down in 2011, “His Royal Highness” become hiding in a laundry chute looking detectives rummage through the contents of his Brisbane domestic. They might later be bought at public sale at a fragment of their price, the money to be recouped via the Queensland government.
Morehu-Barlow, who also went by the name Hohepa Morehu-Barlow, had
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Joel Morehu-Barlow lived a life of luxury
after defrauding the Queensland Government.
Source:Supplied
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afforded the lavish lifestyle not with funds he had earned through hard work but by defrauding his employer and the Queensland taxpayer to the tune of $16.69 million.
The scam was the biggest embezzlement of taxpayers’ funds in Queensland history and an embarrassment for the then-Bligh Government. Queensland has a new premier in 2016 but Morehu-Barlow’s crime still hangs over those running the state.
Morehu-Barlow was sentenced to 14 years in 2013 and is eligible for parole in December. When he gets out, the “fake prince” — Barlow, born in New Zealand, claimed to be Tahitian royalty — will owe $8.5 million under a court order to recover proceeds of crime.
The Australian reports with interest calculated at $40,000 a month, Morehu-Barlow will owe $13.8 million in 10 years time and $24 million by 2035.
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Joel Morehu-Barlow is in jail
until at least December.Source:News Limited |
The problem is that Morehu-Barlow has no further assets to go after and therefore no means to repaying the debt. Brisbane lawyer and Australian Council for Civil Liberties president Terry O’Gorman told The Australian that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk should suspend the disgraced former Queensland Health worker’s debt.
“I think they have got to enter into an agreement allowing him to get on with his life,” Mr O’Gorman said.
The money Morehu-Barlow stole during his time at Queensland Health had been earmarked for supporting charities and other community groups.
He had a history of fleecing price range before he moved to Australia in 2005 and started work on the government branch.
He allegedly took $11 million in a single transaction in November 2011, which raised a crimson flag and ultimately caused his conviction.
Brisbane instances stated in 2013 that Morehu-Barlow lived a tough childhood in New Zealand. Legal resource legal professional David Sherphard, appointed to shield Morehu-Barlow while he couldn't afford a legal professional of his very own, stated his customer’s father was a “violent man” who “frequently beat” his spouse and left the kids “to fend for themselves, even roaming the road whilst there was no meals.”
“at some stage in this being the oldest, Morehu-Barlow evolved a feel of guilt and disgrace mainly with regards to the responsibilities for his siblings,” Mr Sherphard stated.
“perhaps there has been a desire to appear as if he had carried out something.”
Morehu-Barlow will owe $13.Eight million in 10 years time and $24 million via 2035.Supply:provided
Morehu-Barlow’s crook record started in 1998 when he defrauded his New Zealand-based totally business enterprise of approximately $32,000. He turned into convicted a 12 months later and frolicked below house arrest earlier than fleeing to Australia wherein he hatched and performed a brand new plot to defraud taxpayers.
Queensland competition leader Lawrence Springborg says he does no longer trust Morehu-Barlow should break out his great money owed.
“it'd be unjust to genuinely excuse and write off the debt of someone like Joel Barlow who intentionally and deceitfully went out of his way to defraud taxpayers and deprive Queenslanders of plenty-wished health offerings,” Mr Springborg told The Australian.
Source : news.com.au
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