20 May 2013

Parole Board delays decision on DHB fraudster

6:17 pm on 20 May 2013

A man involved in defrauding the Otago District Health Board of millions of dollars will have to wait another month to find out whether he gets parole because of a threatening letter.

Michael Swann and Kerry Harford defrauded the DHB of about $17 million between 2000 and 2006 while Swann worked there as chief information officer.

The Parole Board says a panel met last week to assess Swann's application for parole and looked at a letter from one of his supporters.

The board says the letter contained a threat that judicial review proceedings would be taken if Swann did not receive a favourable outcome.

It says if the panel proceeded with a decision, it could have been interpreted as responding to that threat.

As a result, Swann's hearing is deferred until June, when it will be heard by a different panel.