Fake prince's case adjourned
FAKE Tahitian prince Hohepa Morehu-Barlow, accused of swindling more than $16 million from Queensland Health, has appointed a Maryborough lawyer.
The 36-year-old, also known as Joel Barlow, is charged with aggravated fraud, forgery and uttering while working for the government department between 2007 and 2011 as well as four drug-related offences.
Morehu-Barlow represented himself in Brisbane District Court on Friday, after his lawyers pulled out for funding reasons, and told Judge Kerry O'Brien he would instruct Maryborough solicitor Travis George and Brisbane barrister Paul Smith.
Mr George joined Maryborough firm Suthers Lawyers as a partner in 2007. He is a presiding member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal and was an inaugural volunteer with the Maryborough Neighbourhood Legal Service.
Morehu-Barlow, who worked for Queensland Health from 2005, claimed he was in the Tahitian royal family as he flaunted his wealth, which allegedly came from public coffers.
The case was adjourned until July 2.
