Prison Sentence For Franchisee Scam

Radio New Zealand:

The man who pleaded guilty to deceiving franchisees in the Green Acres group has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.

Keith Lapham admitted fraudulently obtaining $1.5 million from 200 people, mainly new immigrants, who paid him money on the basis of his false statements.

He deceived franchisees about the guaranteed income they would receive and the number of sub-franchises that had been awarded.