A
west Auckland lifestyle property and $20,000 cash together with a John Deere
tractor and 1980 Corvette were forfeited to the Crown as proceeds of crime to
satisfy a $2.03 million High Court order against Rob and Llannys Burgess
implicated in fencing stolen jewellery as second-hand dealers.
Rob Burgess was convicted in 2014 of
receiving stolen property. Mrs Burgess
was convicted of offences under the Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act and
held subsequently in the High Court to be well aware of her husband’s illegal
activity. Assets controlled by the two
were confiscated following a Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act hearing. The court was told stolen gold and jewellery
were purchased for cash with the gold then melted down at their lifestyle
property in Henwood Road, Taupaki.
Police identified that they received $2.03 million over a six year
period from melting down stolen gold.
Their declared income over the same period averaged less than $7300 per
year.
Justice Venning ordered forfeiture of assets
proved to be purchased with the proceeds of crime. The major asset forfeited is Henwood Road,
purchased in 2006 for $1.05 million. Mrs
Burgess was held entitled to keep $372,000 from the proceeds of sale (being a
half share of the equity in Henwood Road when purchased) and their son Karl
Burgess was entitled to $42,000 (as compensation for time spent upgrading and
extending buildings at Henwood Road).
There was no evidence that Karl Burgess was aware of any criminal activity
by his father prior to arrest.
Commssioner
of Police v. Burgess – High Court (2.11.16)
16.154