A woman who stole almost $800,000 from a top school and spent it on a high rolling, horsey lifestyle can now be named.
Tessa Fiona Grant, 40 - the former commercial manager at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls - pleaded guilty to seven fraud-related charges in Hamilton District Court today.
Court documents showed she used fake invoices from a school building project to reap $795,000 in the nine months to August last year - using the cash to help buy an equestrian centre in Horotiu, as well as a horse and jewellery.
She was on a $125,000 annual salary at the time of the offending, and occupied the position that was second only to the principal and responsible for the overall finances, property development and maintenance of the state-integrated school.
The offending occurred after Grant was appointed to the position at the prestigious school in July 2014, but was not noticed until after she resigned in September the following year.
Students pay about $10,000 per year to attend the Decile 10 school with Anglican character, or about $20,000 for boarders.
An employment investigation into her conduct was launched after the suspected improper use of a school credit card, and subsequently a police investigation revealed the extent of the transactions.
Grant was charged with two counts of using a document for pecuniary advantage, two counts of altering a document and three charges of using forged documents.
The charges related to a number of fake invoices, in which she obtained cheques from the school for quotes relating to various building projects.
She banked the money into her own accounts.
In one instance a $7500 cheque for non-existent asbestos removal from the school principal's house was made out to a friend of Grant's on her behalf.
In a statement, school principal Vicky McLennan said early detection of the offending enabled her and the school board to act quickly.
She said full reparation had been received before the end of last year.
"The school is grateful for the diligence and vigilance of its staff and boards and thankful that robust financial systems enabled early and accurate detection of the offending.
"The prompt return of the monies earmarked for property projects will enable the resumption of campus development for the benefit of current and future students."
Grant's lawyer Michael Foley said his client was unable to comment as she was "locked up" in a confidentiality agreement with the school that was signed after she repaid the money, plus interest, as well as covered "out-of-pocket expenses".
Name suppression was not applied for in court today, when she was remanded on bail by Judge Robert Spear for sentencing in March.
Five of the charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
