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https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/116805090/filmmaker-peter-jacksons-piranha-gene-demarco-jailed-for-fraud-and-theft

A former employee of filmmakers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh has been sentenced to two years and five months' jail on charges including frauds against their Vintage Aviator company.

US-born Eugene (Gene) DeMarco, 57, was sentenced at the High Court in Wellington on Thursday, where the judge said DeMarco's betrayal was described as the greatest Jackson had experienced.
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Afterwards DeMarco sent a mass email seeking references, saying he was facing four years in jail for something he had not done. Justice Karen Clark said she assessed DeMarco's public expressions of remorse against those private denials.
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At sentencing prosecutor Sally Carter said DeMarco had made an offers about 10 days ago to settle civil claims involving the company and his former friend for significantly less than the total claim. DeMarco would have got the benefit of the settlement so his motives might not be entirely pure, she said. Neither offer was accepted.

But DeMarco's lawyer, Marc Corlett, QC, said DeMarco had exhausted all his resources and made the best offer he could by refinancing the home of his elderly mother. He had brought it all on himself but it had a catastrophic effect on DeMarco who had a partner, young child and the couple were expecting another baby.
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As well as the criminal charges against DeMarco, he also faces civil action from The Vintage Aviator. The former friend who paid DeMarco US$500,000 for a plane has also taken action to have the deal officially recorded.

The Court of Appeal has confirmed DeMarco has filed an appeal against his convictions and sentence. No date has been set for the hearing.