Former chartered accountant pleads guilty to fraud involving 245 of his clients

A former chartered accountant, who the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) says stole around $1.01 million from his clients, has pleaded guilty to fraud.

Christopher George Wright, 62, is said to have "misappropriated refunds from his clients on whose behalf he filed tax returns and obtained refunds."

In a statement released today, the SFO outlined his misdeeds.

"The tax refunds intended for Mr Wright’s clients were deposited in his accounting practice’s trust account, which was under his control.

"The Auckland man spent the refunds on gambling, friends and family, school fees and loan repayments. He defrauded about 245 clients over a six-year period from January 2010 to April 2016.

"Mr Wright pleaded guilty yesterday at the Auckland District Court to one representative charge of ‘Theft by person in special relationship’ brought by the SFO."

The defendant has been remanded on bail to reappear for sentencing at the Auckland District Court on May 6.