Former TV personality allegedly stole more than $1m, including taxpayer funds

Friday, 17 July 2026

Scott (Scottie) Williams is a former Tipene Funerals employee who appeared on the Netflix series The Casketeers.

Williams has stepped down from his role as chief executive of a Christchurch-based charitable trust after serious fraud charges were laid against him, Stuff can reveal.

Stuff understands Williams is accused of stealing more than $1 million from various trusts and marae. He has not yet pleaded to the charges.

A former television personality who allegedly stole more than $1 million, including taxpayer money, has stepped down as chief executive of a trust after criminal charges were laid against him, Stuff can reveal.

Scott (Scottie) Williams is a former Tipene Funerals employee who appeared on the Netflix series The Casketeers - a reality docuseries set in an Auckland funeral home.

He has since taken up executive roles at a number of trusts and marae, including Ripia Marae in Northland, the Ngā Takiwā o Tāmaki Trust in Auckland and the Dudes Like Us Trust - all of which are named in court documents as victims of Williams’ alleged offending.

Wiliams, 39, is facing nine representative fraud-related charges, including theft by a person in a special relationship, dishonestly accessing a computer system and forgery.

He appeared and was granted a registrar’s remand at the Christchurch District Court on Wednesday.

Stuff understands the amount Williams is accused of stealing is more than $1 million.

Contact the reporter in confidence: jake.kenny@stuffdigital.co.nz

Interim name suppression previously in place lapsed, and no pleas have been entered, a court registrar confirmed to Stuff.

Williams has stepped down from his role as acting chief executive of the Broken Movement Trust - a Christchurch-based charitable trust set up by reformed criminal-turned-mental health advocate Jacob Skilling.

The organisation provides addiction recovery, mental health and wellbeing services.

A statement on behalf of the trust’s board of trustees to Stuff said:

“The Broken Movement Trust is in no way connected with these allegations and has full faith in Mr Williams and the mahi he has done.

“To ensure continuity, stability, and good governance, the Board has implemented new leadership arrangements. Founder and Trustee Jacob Skilling has resumed the role of Chief Executive.

“During this period, Mr Williams has stepped aside from his roles as Acting Chief Executive and Governance Trustee and continues to support the organisation.”

According to court documents, between January 2021 and November 2023, Williams had control over the Ripia Marae, Ngā Takiwā o Tāmaki Trust and the Dudes Like Us Trust accounts, and allegedly used that control to steal funds.

He is also accused of directly accessing a computer system, namely the Ngā Takiwā o Tāmaki Trust accounts, to obtain a pecuniary advantage, according to the documents.

Further, Williams is accused of using forged documents to obtain a monetary gain and falsifying Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme applications to gain an advantage, namely money.

Williams was part of The Broken Movement Trust’s senior leadership in charge of corporate services, according to its website.

“Scottie brings more than 18 years’ experience across the social services, community development, health, governance, and business sectors, with extensive expertise in operational leadership, organisational development, strategic planning, and community-based service delivery,” the website says.

“Scottie has played a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s vision, purpose, and long-term direction,” it says.

“[His] leadership is grounded in the belief that every person has inherent worth and the capacity for growth, restoration, and positive change. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, Scottie is passionate about creating environments where people are treated with dignity, accountability, and compassion, and where individuals are supported to build safer, healthier, and more hopeful futures.

“Scottie believes that some of life’s greatest lessons come through adversity. This perspective informs a leadership style centred on humility, resilience, integrity, and service to others.”

Williams is due to appear in court again in August.