Fines of $2250 for board member

Press, 15 October 1982, Page 7

Fines of $2250 for board member

PA Gisborne Fines totalling $2250 were imposed yesterday on a Gisborne farmer and member of the Wool Board. George Matua Evans, aged 50, when he faced sentence in the High Court at Gisborne on three charges brought under the Secret Commissions Act.

In bringing back three guilty verdicts on Wednesday evening, the jury found Evans not guilty on one further charge of a similar nature and on three fraud charges brought under the Crimes Act.

Fining Evans $750 on each of the three charges. Mr Justice Holland left the question of restitution to possible later civil proceedings. "He did not consider it appropriate to order restitution.

It was a great tragedj’ that a man who had achieved as much as Evans should appear in court at his age on such serious matters, his Honour said. It was unnecessary for him to add to the shame Evans must already feel by giving him a lecture on his failings. He reminded Evans that he was liable not only to a fine, but for two years imprisonment on each of the charges. Had he been found guilty of any of the fraud charges, it may well have been the Court's duty to impose a prison sentence. His Honour said that he took into account the acquittal on the fraud charges, but he had to treat Evans as having been disloyal to his employers.

It was also a matter of regret to him that Evans had chosen to continue his deceit in the witness box. He had attempted to lie and make false accusations which the jury had rightfully rejected.

For Evans. Mr Andrew McGechan, of Wellington, reminded the Court of his impressive background, impressive public appointments and the service he had rendered and could continue to render to the Maori people. Loss of his appointments was inevitable — they had to go and with them would go his pride. His loss of mana was acute.