Tony Haines was sentenced to seven months’ home detention after wrongfully claiming nearly $30,000 of government subsidies. Photo: Felicity DearAn Otago businessman swindled nearly $30,000 from the government by inventing wages to claim subsidies during Covid-19. As well as making legitimate applications, Haines claimed multiple employees had been working when they had not, and claimed cash back for their imaginary wages. He also claimed full-time wages payments for a part-time employee and continued to receive subsidies for staff after they had left the company. While Mr Westgate argued for a sentence of community detention and community work, Judge Retzlaff ruled that was "too lenient".

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2026 00:53 UTC