Man accused of faking own kidnapping to hide an affair
Paul Lera, 35, can run but he can't hide from allegations that he came up with an extraordinary lie to hide an affair.
Police alleged the 35-year-old faked his own kidnapping on New Year's Eve so he could spend the night with a mistress in a Dombarton granny flat south of Sydney.
"Paul, did you fake your own kidnapping? Are you a love rat Paul?" I asked him about the allegations.
Paul Lera. Facebook
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"Mate, what were you thinking?" I said.
Police allege they were contacted by Lera's partner after she received texts from his phone, claiming he was being held hostage over a bike.
The next morning officers said they spotted Lera's van and, fearing that he'd been kidnapped, they conducted a high-risk vehicle stop.
Officers said they spotted Paul Lera's van. A Current Affair
Police conducted a high-risk vehicle stop. A Current Affair
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Security footage showed detectives with their guns drawn as they opened the car doors, expecting kidnappers.
But instead found Lera and a woman, alive and well.
Lera allegedly told police he'd been kidnapped by unknown Middle Eastern males and then let go, but detectives claim that's a lie.
Paul Lera's Facebook page. Facebook
Paul Lera. A Current Affair
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Police said the alleged fake kidnapping wasted their time and resources and the investigation cost more than $25,000.
Police have charged Lera with false representation resulting in a police investigation and making a false accusation, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years behind bars.
He's yet to enter a plea, or respond to our questions.
Paul Lera and A Current Affair reporter Hannah Sinclair. A Current Affair
Paul Lera running towards his van. A Current Affair
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"What's worse, Paul, the thought of going to prison or being in the doghouse with your Mrs?" I asked.
Lera's Facebook says: "Nothing in life is a problem - everything is a possibility."
But these allegations are a problem that could possibly land Lera in the doghouse and the big house.
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