A former manager of Auckland's Albion Hotel has been convicted of stealing more than $35,000 of gaming machine money.
Photo: AFP
The Department of Internal Affairs, which brought the prosecution, said Michael Anthony McGurk used the pokie money to pay for hotel trading expenses instead of banking it as required by law.
It said the theft was discovered after receivers took control of the business.
McGurk, 54, was convicted in the Auckland District Court on Friday.
Internal Affairs gambling compliance director Debbie Despard said gaming machine proceeds did not belong to the venues or gambling trusts which owned the machines; they only held the money in trust for distribution to the community.
McGurk will be sentenced in March.
