Photo / ODT fileA Dunedin businessman who spent six years defrauding Customs says it was the "stupidest thing he's ever done in his life". Paul Lambert Clarke appeared in the Dunedin District Court this afternoon after pleading guilty to two charges of using altered documents with intent to deceive and one of producing false documents. Counsel John Westgate said the charges had ultimately had a disastrous financial impact on Clarke's finances. The scam gave his company, PL Clarke Ltd, "a significant cash-flow advantage over competitors", court documents said. In May 2019, a Customs audit of Clarke's import business reviewed 25 imports over seven years.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 14, 2021 04:41 UTC