Two men who conned a range of businesses and other organisations out of about $129,000, by billing them for advertising in a non-existent publication, have escaped jail sentences.
Gene Coughlan, 40, and Richard McKenzie, 29, were sentenced in the Wellington District Court on Friday on multiple charges of using a document for pecuniary advantage.
The pair sold advertising in what they called a 'Local Bodies Directory', but the directory was never published.
Judge Mike Behrens sentenced Coughlan and McKenzie to serve 11 and 10 months home detention respectively.
They also each have to pay $7529.50 reparation.
