Boss Forgives $25K Debt, Offers Job Reference to Fraudster

Sometimes forgiveness looks like canceling a debt and opening doors for someone who wronged you.

Stephan Rattray, managing director of BG Contracting in Rangiora, New Zealand, agreed to forgive over $25,000 owed by his former financial controller Tracy Littlewood. She had stolen more than $400,000 from his company by inflating her wages and creating fake invoices over several years.

Littlewood already repaid $409,000 after selling her home with her husband. But she still owed $50,000 in court-ordered reparations at $100 per week, which would have taken nine more years to complete.

On Wednesday, Rattray appeared in Christchurch District Court and agreed to accept a final $15,000 payment instead. The deal ends Littlewood's weekly reminder of her crime and gives her a chance to move forward.

"It's hopefully liberating for her and gives her an opportunity to move on," Rattray told The Press. "I don't believe she would in any way want to do this again."

But Rattray went even further. He offered to provide Littlewood with a job reference for future employment, acknowledging that her public punishment has been severe enough.

"She's been knocked from hither to toe on this publicly, and as far as I'm concerned she's paid her debt," he said. "I wish her nothing but success."

The Bright Side

Rattray's response shows what restorative justice can look like in action. Rather than holding onto anger or seeking maximum punishment, he's choosing to help someone rebuild their life after a serious mistake.

His company has grown significantly since discovering the fraud. Instead of playing the victim, Rattray says he chose to dust himself off and focus on making things better.

Judge Quentin Hix approved the new arrangement, canceling the original reparation order. Littlewood has until the end of the week to make her final payment.

The story challenges our ideas about redemption and second chances. Rattray believes people learn from their mistakes and deserve the opportunity to prove they've changed.

His act of grace might just be the key to ensuring Littlewood never commits fraud again.