New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Andrew Neill SIMPSON

Hearing: 2 March 2021

at Northland Region Corrections Facility by AVL from New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board: Judge J P Gittos, QSO – Panel Convenor

Mr A Hackney

Ms K Coutts

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Andrew Neill Simpson is a 43-year-old man serving a sentence of two years and nine months imposed upon him for some 13 offences of money-laundering to which he pleaded guilty.  He has no other criminal history, the offending occurred when Mr Simpson was in sole practice as a solicitor and was persuaded to advise and assist with various transactions by clients who were, although it was not initially clear to him that they were,  associated with the Comanchero criminal gang and involved processing the proceeds of drug sales.  Mr Simpson's risk assessment and RoC*RoI level in the prison system are such that he is considered of such low risk that no criminogenic programmes or treatment have been offered to him.  The last Parole Board which saw him on 6 January this year declined parole due to some reservations about Mr Simpson's safety plan in relation to future employment.  These issues we are satisfied are now seen in a more realistic perspective by Mr Simpson who gave a very frank account of himself in his interview with the Board.  Helpfully we have a private psychologist's report from Mr Jim Van Rensburg which gives an in-depth assessment of Mr Simpson's risk which he assesses as being at a very low level.  We are satisfied that Mr Simpson does not present a significant risk to the safety of the community and has now a good grasp of what he needs to do to safely conduct himself in the future.  He has two approved addresses the one most suitable being that occupied by his (withheld).  He has no specific employment arrangements in place at this stage but obviously will be occupied with domestic duties while his wife has taken up the breadwinner role in the family.  He plans to re-establish himself in work under the supervision of the Probation Officer and mentor figures in his life when he is able to find something suitable.  We are satisfied that risk is not undue and that Mr Simpson may appropriately be released on parole now.  We have discussed the proposed release conditions with him all of which he is happy to accept.  He is to be released with effect from 16 March upon the following conditions all of which are to prevail until the sentence end date.

(1) To reside (withheld) Auckland or any other address approved in writing by a probation officer, and not move from that address unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(2) To obtain the written approval of a Probation Officer before starting or changing your position and/or place of employment (including voluntary and unpaid work). To notify a Probation Officer if you leave your position of employment.

(3) Not to give financial or business advice to any person or entity unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(4) Not to communicate or associate, directly or indirectly, with any person known to you to associate with the Comancheros unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(5) Not to engage in any employment or have any role in the affairs of any business, trust, company or other entity, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(6) Not to communicate or associate with your co-offenders directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(7) Not to be involved in the handling of money, provision of advice or management of the financial accounts or transactions, of any person or entity, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.