By Paula Penfold
The Defence Force has launched an inquiry into one of its senior officials, over allegations raised in a 60 Minutes investigation to be broadcast tonight.
Stephen Wilce heads the Defence Technology Agency and is New Zealand’s chief Defence Scientist.
He’s also a liar.
Mr Wilce has held the position for the past five years, a job for which he holds the highest levels of security clearance.
But a 60 Minutes investigation has shown Mr Wilce is also a CV fraudster and his work history is littered with failure. Much of what he says about his past is either exaggerated or simply untrue.
Such as his claim to have successfully turned around his electronics business, when in fact it went under.
“Stephen Wilce was blatantly lying about his capabilities,” says businessman Hugh Kelly.
“Blatantly.”
The agency Mr Wilce heads provides important advice to the military on technology and scientific matters, like electronic surveillance and defence systems for navy ships, as well as classified advice to the Government on threats to airforce aircraft in Afghanistan.
Several people have expressed alarm to 60 Minutes that Mr Wilce is in such a key national role, given his history of telling wild stories about his background – not just past employment but also military and sporting achievements.
Business consultant Steven Saunders says he set about the process of verifying Mr Wilce’s claims and found they were all “bollocks”.
“No one had heard of him,” he said.
The Defence Force has now decided a full investigation is warranted.
The 60 Minutes undercover investigation, exposing the full extent of Steven Wilce’s lies, will air at 7.30pm tonight
3 News
source: newshub archive
