Valuer Gary Lopes’ appeal seeking discharge without conviction for
forgery was dismissed in the High Court.
Lopes forged Wagyu Breeders Association minutes in an unsuccessful
attempt to access funds held in a dormant bank account.
The High
Court was told the forgery followed Lopes failed attempts to merge dormant
Wagyu Breeders Association with a similar organisation: New Zealand Wagyu
Association. Wagyu Breeders had been
deregistered in 1997, five years after its formation. Just over $20,000 was left sitting in its
bank account, the bulk on term deposit.
Wagyu’s bank required proof Lopes was an officer of the Association
before it would provide details. Lopes became
a signatory after presenting forged Breeders Association minutes of a
fictitious meeting which listed his appointment as president. Named as secretary was his almost-blind
mother. She signed the minutes. Trying to access the account, Lopes found
nearly all the funds were on term deposit.
He signed two cheques as a ‘test’ to see if they would clear. Neither did.
Lopes told
the court conviction could lead to his de-registration as a valuer by the
Valuers Registration Board. He has been
registered since 1988. The offending was
clearly deliberate, Justice Woolford said.
Potential deregistration is not a wholly disproportionate outcome for
this offending.
Lopes was
sentenced to180 hours community service.
Lopes v. Police – High Court (4.11.17)
18.017