Ex-worker guilty of stealing 140k

A woman has been found guilty of stealing more than $140,000 from Central Motor Group in Taupo

Former general manager Stephanie Elmiger has been convicted on 225 charges related to the theft by a person in a special relationship over a three-year period from 2013-16.

The charges related to monetary transfers from accounts she had control of, credit-card transactions, payroll payment charges and a discrete motor vehicle-related charge.

The Crown alleged Elmiger gave herself a series of payments and bonuses that were unauthorised or she was unentitled to, used a company credit card issued to her and a company credit card issued to another employee to make personal purchases that weren’t authorised or part of the general business or authorised business of the company, and made unauthorised payroll payments to herself.

Elmiger’s defence stated all monetary transfers and bonuses were authorised, while credit-card transactions were either not done by Elmiger or were for legitimate company business or were authorised. 

Judge Snell stated in his decision that Elmiger started offending shortly after starting her job at the Ford and Mazda dealership. “The offending occurred quite deliberately and was increasingly bold and blatant as her sense of entitlement grew. Viewed overall, the offending has been a sustained and substantial course of action throughout her employment."

Crown prosecutor Andy Hill indicated he would seek a sentence of three to three-and-a-half years, while Elmiger’s lawyer Jonathon Temm told the court she would sell her property to pay back the amount she stole.

Dealership owner Richard Blakeney-William Senior told the Rotorua Daily Post outside court that he’s had to go back to work at the age of 70 because Elmiger’s offending nearly ruined his company. “I trusted her implicitly. I’ve been in business in Taupo for 42 years. We are a respected family and she nearly destroyed our company. It’s been a horrendous three years.”