Ex-harness racing trainer sentenced to five months home detention

As reported by 1News , a former horse trainer has been sentenced to five months home detention after using misleading statements and hiding crucial information to file for self-imposed bankruptcy.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said in a statement Mitchell Kerr, a former harness racing trainer whose licence was cancelled, hid crucial details like his bank accounts for gambling when he filed for self-imposed bankruptcy through the Insolvency and Trustee Service (ITS).

“Between 3 April 2018 and 23 November 2020, Kerr gambled $2.055 million via the online gambling website Ladbrokes using six banks that he did not disclose.

“Any person who has been adjudicated bankrupt is not permitted to be involved in the management of a business while still bankrupt unless permission to do so has been sought from the Official Assignee. Likewise, it is also an offence for an individual to contribute to their bankruptcy by gambling.

“Fully aware of the obligations and responsibilities he had during his bankruptcy, Kerr became involved in the management of his business, Mitch Kerr Racing, without obtaining approval from either the ITS or the Court.”

MBIE said while still bankrupt, Kerr also applied for the Covid-19 wage subsidy and received a total of $9600. He declared himself as a ‘Self-employed/Contractor (Sole Trader)’ on his application.

“It is also an offence to be self-employed whilst adjudicated bankrupt without the permission of the Official Assignee,” MBIE said.

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Reprinted with permission from 1News