A man convicted of international money laundering in the United States is seeking to regain access to millions of dollars held in New Zealand bank accounts. In 2020, the Commissioner of Police successfully obtained a restraining order on these funds in the High Court. However, the Court of Appeal, while upholding the High Court’s decision, later found that the Commissioner failed to disclose relevant information and misrepresented details in the application.
Now, David Rae, the convicted individual, has turned to the Supreme Court to have his case reassessed, despite being outside the usual timeframe for such appeals. He argues that the Commissioner’s failure to disclose all information to the High Court constituted a miscarriage of justice.
Rae also contends that the Court of Appeal incorrectly applied the law when it upheld the order earlier this year. The initial order was based on allegations that the funds were “tainted property” connected to fraudulent schemes against the U.S. health scheme Medicare, and that Rae had benefited from significant criminal activity by laundering money from his U.S. offenses into New Zealand bank accounts.
Rae was investigated and pleaded guilty in the United States District Court of New Jersey in 2019 to conspiracy to commit international money laundering. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison but was released on time served. He has not yet paid the ordered restitution of US$1.7 million.
The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on this case.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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