Former medal winning New Zealand Olympian targeted in alleged cheque fraud
Suspect allegedly used bank cheques in Dick Quax and his wife’s names to procure more than US$14,000
By Sam Hurley
A New Zealand Olympic great and politician was the target of an alleged bank fraud scheme.
Dick Quax has been named in court documents alongside his wife Roxanne Bakke as the complainants in a criminal case currently before the Manukau District Court.
The silver medal-winning Olympic runner confirmed to the Herald he has been in contact with investigating police after an electrician was charged with using bank cheques in Quax and Bakke’s names.
James Alexander Spencer Bayley, 33, has been charged with using Westpac cheques on seven separate occasions to allegedly procure nearly NZ$20,000 (US$14,312).
Court documents show that Bayley allegedly used the cheques between July 20 and July 25 this year at locations in Manukau, Greenlane and Newmarket in Auckland.
The largest amount the Auckland man allegedly tried to obtain in one transaction was NZ$8,500 (US$ 6,082).
Quax, a former Manukau City councillor who also stood for parliament, did not wish to comment further, so as not to prejudice the judicial process.
The now Auckland councillor won a silver medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the 5000m event and is considered one of the country’s greatest Olympians.
Police could also not comment on the case while it was before the courts.
Bayley will appear again in the Manukau District Court on October 30.
