Wealthy arts patron and convicted sex offender James Wallace has been paroled and will leave prison next month, his lawyer said, according to Stuff.
His lawyer, David Jones KC, told the Herald he'll be released on December 11.
In June, the 85-year-old multimillionaire was revealed to be the prominent businessman found guilty of abusing three men.
He had kept his name secret for five years, but the Supreme Court refused to continue his anonymity.
The Parole Board refused to grant Wallace parole in September the first time he applied.
It said it wanted to see improved safety and support plans from Wallace, including him seeing a psychologist.
But at the second hearing on Friday, he was paroled.
Meanwhile, he denies all charges.
"I am almost 86. I am really not capable of being a risk to anyone in any sexual sense and otherwise," Wallace said.
What is this case all about?
Back in May 2021, he was sentenced to two years, four months in prison for indecently assaulting three young men on different occasions between 2000 and 2016.
Wallace was also convicted of twice trying to stop one of the victims giving evidence by offering him bribes of cash and work.
He was released in August 2021 and tried to appeal his sentence, but lost and was subsequently sent back to prison.
In August this year, former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed Wallace had been stripped of his honours title.
"He can no longer use the title of 'Sir' or 'KNZM', and has been asked to return his Warrant of Appointment and his honours insignia," Hipkins said at the time.
Wallace had been sexually assaulting men who visited him at his Epsom mansion, in the hopes of advancing their careers.
Who is he?
Wallace was born in Cambridge, attended Kings College in Tāmaki Makaurau and the University of Auckland to study law.
He started a huge art collection, funded several projects in the arts, film and theatre realms, and set up the Wallace Art Awards.
According to NBR's 2018 rich list, he's worth about $165 million.
He was knighted in 2011, but that title was stripped in mid-2023.
His lawyer, Jones, told the Parole Board that Wallace "has people who trust him" and that he wants to continue being a philanthropist.
Wallace also donated a large chunk of art to Toi o Tāmaki / Auckland Art Gallery.
Before he was sentenced to prison, he sent an email to a couple hundred people asking for letters of support so he could stay out of jail, and 89 people did.
Where to find help for sexual violence:
- Auckland: (09) 623 1700 or visit helpauckland.org.nz
- Wellington: (04) 801 6655 or visit wellingtonhelp.org.nz
- Safe to Talk 0800 044 334, text 4334, webchat safetotalk.nz or email support@safetotalk.nz
- Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00
