A police investigation has begun after more than $750,000 was drained from Whitireia Polytechnic students' association funds over a year.
An audit report shows huge cash payments were made to former association executive members, including almost $12,000 to former president Loretta Ryder. Ms Ryder – the sister of former Black Power spokesman Eugene Ryder – also claimed expenses of $3000 in one month. Almost $700 was spent on an iPod and dock.
The funds also paid for $18,200 of accommodation for Ms Ryder, her family and vice-president Tai Te Karu. It is understood they are cousins and live together.
A large amount of money is also unaccounted for.
About $17,000 was spent through excessive use of mobile broadband modems to surf the internet, the report said. Mobile phone bills of five members of the executive averaged $700 a month.
Ms Ryder, of Kenepuru, was stood down two weeks ago. Mr Te Karu left in April.
This seems to been systematic and cynical fraud. Whitireia students face mandatory deductions of $135 to fund the association, which appears to have been infiltrated by troughers who spotted an opportunity to have their lifestyles funded.
Voluntary membership of Students' Associations looks like a very attractive concept today!
3 comments:
The bros are having a ball at our expense.
Yea but its the bros from last year ... this new crown is okay
It's the bros from 2010 too. 250000 missing this year. This committee was installed in March 2010. They are not NEW. When the time comes, the audit after Dec 31, 2010 will result in more of the same. By that time there will be a newer executive!
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