A New Zealand woman who presented herself as a wealthy successful businesswoman stole $NZ1.3 million ($A1.21 million) from her sister over seven years.
Michelle Innes, 59, was sentenced to four years and three months in jail in Auckland District Court on Friday after being found guilty in April of stealing her sister's retirement fund.
Innes's older sister Lesley Morresey was based in Alaska, and between 1999 and 2008 sent back money to New Zealand to be banked and managed by Innes.
But Innes used the money to buy property in her own name and invest in businesses which all failed.
The sisters no longer talk and the money hasn't been paid back.
Judge Claire Ryan said it was one of the highest totals of fraud that she had dealt with.
Innes had stolen her sister's retirement fund, ruined their once-close relationship and destroyed their wider family, Judge Ryan said.
"The loss of this relationship, a sister and a best friend, has been almost like a death," Mrs Morresey said in a statement.
Judge Ryan said she saw Jekyll and Hyde aspects in Innes, who had an addiction to presenting herself as generous and successful while stealing from her sister who had trusted her implicitly.
Innes was greedy, selfish, calculating and conniving towards her sister, Justice Ryan said.
Innes's lawyer David Jones QC argued his client was remorseful and had planned all along to pay the money back after she had earned more from the investments.
Other than this crime, she had been an upstanding member of society, Mr Jones said.
But Innes had pleaded not guilty and had besmirched the victim's character during trial, Justice Ryan said.
"What remorse is there other than the fact she's going to jail?" she questioned.
"You mercilessly plundered your sister's money."
Innes tearfully called out "love you" and waved to her numerous family members and supporters as she was led out of the court room.
Innes was found guilty of 10 charges included theft, theft by a person in a special relationship and theft by a person required to account.
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