The High Court confirmed on appeal a sentence of two years and five months imprisonment for Auckland lawyer Bruce Harvey Reid struck off after stealing $357,800 from clients.
The court was told Reid misappropriated money from multiple clients: from one client following a property sale, disguising the theft by overstating the amount required to repay a mortgage following sale; from a family trust funding private hospital care for a trust beneficiary with dementia; and from monies held on behalf of a deceased estate and another family trust.
Reid, aged 68, said imprisonment prejudiced his life partner who suffers epilepsy, anxiety and depression relying on him for practical and emotional support. The trial judge took this into account, Justice Thomas said. A three month reduction in sentence allowed by the trial judge for reparations paid by Reid was in line with previous fraud cases, Justice Thomas said.
Clients have been compensated with Reid making good some $214,600 from family sources; the balance covered by the Law Society Fidelity Fund. Reid’s sentence included an order to pay the Law Society Fidelity Fund $139,700 for compensation paid clients.
Reid v. R. – High Court (20.02.19)
19.042