As Stephen Versalko starts his six-year jail term for
defrauding ASB bank of nearly $18 million, his wife has vowed
to stand by him.
The former Auckland bank employee defrauded 30 clients over a
seven-year period, splurging $3.4m of stolen money on two
Auckland prostitutes, more than $4m on property, and $300,000
on wine.
Versalko's brother Greg said the offending was a huge shock
to his extended family but they would support him during his
time in jail.
Greg Versalko said his brother's wife, who was not at court
for Thursday's sentencing, was standing by her husband.
"All the way through she's stood next to him. I'm sure that
his family will miss him when he's inside. Definitely all of
us will be there to visit him," he told the Dominion Post.
"What he's done is certainly not acceptable but he's my
brother and from my perspective I'll be there to support him
for the next six years.
"From a victim perspective we're obviously very sorry for the
people that have been affected."
ASB Bank has repaid the clients defrauded by Versalko and
launched legal action to force the sale of one of the
prostitute's houses to recoup about $1 million.
Massey University banking specialist David Tripe said the
bank was within its rights to recoup as much money as it
could.
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