Convicted gay fraudster Joel Morehu-Barlow may be about to be released from prison and be deported from Queensland back to New Zealand. Joel Morehu-Barlow before his arrest. In 2013 Morehu-Barlow was sentenced to fourteen years imprisonment for carrying out one of the biggest financial frauds in Queensland history, progressively taking $16 million from his employer Queensland Health. He had been a regular on the Auckland gay scene but had been convicted of dishonesty offenses before moving to Australia. To friends and associates who noted his remarkable lavish lifestyle he claimed to be a Tahitian prince. When he was apprehended police found a 'treasure trove' of luxury items including Louis Vuitton briefcases, pricey artworks and two properties. The money he took was supposed to have been distributed to community groups and charitable organisations. Morehu-Barlow came up for parole last month and Queensland authorities are reportedly considering whether to release and deport him. It is considered possible an arrangement between the Queensland and New Zealand court systems could see him remain liable for the fraud amount even if he returns to this country.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 22nd January 2017 - 7:53pm