An Auckland accountant who stole more than $5 million from his employer, only to lose it gambling, has been jailed for 6½ years.
Richard Watson stole the money over a 10-year period from his roof tile manufacturing employer, The Ross Group, to fund his gambling habit at Sky City Casino, 3News reported.
"In all likelihood it would have continued beyond that, had it not been for the fact that in March 2010 it was indicated to you that the company was going to carry out an audit,'' Judge Charles Blackie said passing sentence in Manukau District Court.
Watson frequently told his employer and shareholders there were financial pressures on the company which required them to inject funds.
Crown prosecutor Ben Finn told the court Watson lacked remorse and felt a sense of entitlement to the money.
Judge Blackie imposed a minimum non-parole period of three years and three months.
