The former accountant of the failed finance company, National Finance, has been sentenced to prison for 18 months for fraud.
John Gray, 41, pleaded guilty last month in the Auckland District Court to theft by a person in a special relationship, and to another charge of false accounting.
National Finance went into receivership in 2006 owing $21 million to investors.
Gray remains on bail until his appeal against a decision to deny him home detention is heard.
Serious Fraud Office chief executive Adam Feeley says the sentence sends a clear message about how the court views serious white collar crime.
Former National Finance director, Trevor Ludlow, is also charged with misuse of funds. He is yet to enter a plea.
