Queensland's fake Tahitian prince Joel Morehu-Barlow deported to NZ
Fake Tahitian prince Joel Morehu-Barlow, who was imprisoned over the theft of $16 million from Queensland Health, has been released from jail and deported to New Zealand.
Morehu-Barlow, now 44, had pleaded guilty to five fraud and three drug offences in 2013 after re-directing money meant for charity into his own accounts and was jailed for 14 years with a non-parole period of five.
Video showed Morehu-Barlow flanked by Australian Border Force officers being escorted to an airport where he was put on a Qantas plane bound for Auckland shortly after his release yesterday.
Fake Tahitian prince Joel Morehu-Balow has been released from jail. 9News
It's believed he's now in the company of his mother in Auckland.
Born Hohepa Hikairo "Joel" Morehu-Barlow, he used his position as a middle manager for Queensland Health to siphon off funds between October 2007 and December 2011.
It allowed him to live a lavish lifestyle that included the purchase of an exclusive waterfront apartment in inner Brisbane.
He even had the initials HRH (His Royal Highness) on a black American Express credit card he used at a chic Brisbane nightclub Cloudland where he drank top of the range champagne and tipped waiters $1000, according to former staff members.
Joel Morehu-Barlow will live with family in New Zealand. 9News
Morehu-Barlow stole $16 million from Queensland Health. 9News
His cash-splashing habits were so outlandish that one Fortitude Valley businessman described it as a Clayton's economic stimulus package for Brisbane's restaurants, pubs and retailers.
His reign as a free-spending ''royal'' was brought undone in December 2011 when he attempted to siphon off $11 million in a single transaction.
He'd previously taken about $5 million.
When police searched his residence, they found hundreds of luxury items including a life-size horse lamp, saddle, a Chanel watch and a Louis Vuitton surfboard, which were seized and sold at auction.
A Louis-Vuitton bag auctioned off after Morehu-Barlow was caught. AAP
Six litres of Hennessy Cognac, valued at $25,000, were among the items seized by police. AAP
Overall about $11.9 million was recovered from the sale of items including the apartment.
During one of his court proceedings, Morehu-Barlow's lawyer told the court that even his client knew his "simple" fraud - which just happened to involve an extraordinary amount of money - would be exposed.
"It was a simple fraud which was bound to be discovered," defence barrister David Shepherd said.
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