Roger McClay. Photo: Richard Robinson as appeared in the New Zealand Herald 13 March 2010

How could a former government minister, Children’s Commissioner and prominent supporter of several charities think it was ok to swindle charities he worked for out of thousands of dollars? What’s happened to honour in New Zealand?

Roger McClay escaped what could have been a seven year jail term by pleading guilty to fraud charges resulting from knowingly claiming mileage costs from two charities he worked for when he used his MP travel perk to fly at at 90% discount. I wonder what part of ‘dishonourable’, ‘disreputable’ and completely ‘unethical’ he didn’t understand?

It’s a massive breach of trust and McClay should be stripped of the Companion of the Queen’s Service Order he received in 2005.

Although McClay originally denied the allegations and was vigorously defended by the former Chief Executive of Keep New Zealand Beautiful, Barry Lucinsky, McClay’s deceit was brazen and significant.

Even though present at board meetings where the charity’s pretty dire financial position was discussed, McClay continued to submit fraudulent travel claims over several years, whilst using his former MP travel perk to fly at just 10% of the usual cost. Read the rest of this entry »