A Kaikoura man who made false statements to ACC and received payments and other entitlements from it today pleaded guilty to six charges of fraud.
Michael Gibson appeared in Kaikoura District Court today facing six charges under the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001.
He pleaded guilty to the six charges of making false statements to ACC and others involved in his claim, for the purposes of receiving payments and other entitlements.
The six charges were representative of offending between 2003 and 2008.
During this period Gibson submitted 37 medical certificates, 34 of them certifying that he was "unable to resume any duties at work" and three certifying him fit for light or alternative work because of a back injury.
On the basis of the medical certificates ACC paid Gibson weekly compensation until its investigation unit established that he had engaged in sustained work and activities in the development of his Hapuku property, 12km north of Kaikoura.
The nature of those activities were contrary to statements he had made to his GP and case managers, the court was told.
He engaged in activities including landscaping, painting, lawn mowing, hedge trimming and lifting heavy items.
Some of the activities were video-recorded and photographed by neighbours and received considerable media attention.
Gibson will be sentenced on December 18.
