Former high profile Napier lawyer Gerald McKay is standing trial on 11 charges of alleged misuse of client funds.
The 74 year old lawyer is appearing before Judge Colin Doherty in a jury trial involving allegations relating to funds worth $1.581 million. He pleaded not guilty to five charges of dishonestly using a document, one of breach of trust and five charges of theft.
McKay was struck off by the Law Society in 2014
The offences are alleged to have occurred between mid-2005 and mid-2010 with around 20 witnesses expected to be called by the prosecution. Christchurch prosecutor Chris Lange is appearing for the Crown.
The trusts identified in charges of theft by failing to account were R. and T.J.Johnston Family Trust, J.L.Heyne Estate, and R. and E.Evans Trust. Those identified in charges of dishonestly using documents with intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage were Kaimai Palms Gold Resort Ltd, Fore World/School Development Ltd, Central Mortgagee Trust Advances, Barton-Ginger Holdings and Estate A Paxie.. The remaining charge identified the McKay Hill Lawyers Trust Fund.
Offences are alleged to have occurred between June 15, 2005 and June 1, 2010, and in a trial dating back to the first laying of charges almost five years ago, Crown prosecutor Chris Lange, of Christchurch, is expected to call 20 witnesses.
The Crown alleges that McKay attempted to backdate invoices to conceal misappropriations.
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