Katarina Cherie Hollis declared bankruptcy while in prison for theft of nearly one million dollars from Gisborne employer Specialist Roofing Solutions Ltd. Since she had shared some of her ill-gotten gains with her partner and with her mother, a High Court case was needed to identify the amount Specialist Roofing could claim in her bankruptcy.
The High Court was told Hollis stole some $969,500 from Specialist Roofing while working as a part-time office administrator between March 2016 and August 2109. Thefts started within six months of her going on the payroll. The fraud was picked up by accountants preparing Specialist Roofing’s tax accounts.
In a subsequent High Court civil case, Justice Gault ruled Hollis was liable to pay damages totalling $969,513 for breach of duties as an employee; this amount to be reduced by an undisclosed out-of-court settlement with Hollis’ mother Anne Marie Hollis and any recoveries made from Hollis’ partner Jason Peach. Specialist Roofing could trace only $7500 of its money as going to Peach, but suspected he had received more of the stolen funds than this amount. Peach was ordered to pay Specialist Roofing $7500. Neither Katarina Hollis nor Jason Peach defended Specialist Roofing’s claim.
Hollis claims to have no assets. Part of Insolvency Act bankruptcy procedures is intended to track down any assets available to meet creditor claims.
Specialist Roofing Solutions Ltd v. Hollis – High Court (26.05.21)
21.088