The SFO outcome
October 11th, 2008 at 10:34 am by David FarrarI am totally unsurprised by the outcome of the Serious Fraud Office inquiries into the Spencer Trust. And the outcome is in no way a clearance or an exoneration. What it says is laws have been broken, but not fraud laws.
NZ First’s failure to obey the electoral laws of New Zealand is what made the investigation occur. Because the public facts were that Bob Jones had stated he had made a $25,000 donation intended for NZ First, through the Spencer Trust, and the NZ First Party had filed a donations return saying it had not received any donations in 2005 of over $10,000. To quote the SFO:
There were two competing explanations for how this could be.
- The Spencer Trust never passed the money onto NZ First, which would be possibly fraudalant
- The Spencer Trust did pass the money onto NZ First, and NZ First filed a false electoral donations return
No 2 was always far more likely. And thanks to the SFO investigation we now know this is true. In fact we know that NZ First has filed a series of false returns, as has Winston Peters personally, and Peters has lied on multiple occassions about these returns, including giving false information to the Privileges Committee.
This is no case of an accidential omission on a return, due to Mrs Muggins the branch secretary. This was a strategy signed off by the Leader. Let us look at the multiple false returns and statements:
- A false donations return for 2005
- A false election expenses return for 2005
- A false donations return for 2007
- A false return on the Register of Pecuniary Interests for 2006 (Payment of debt to Bob Clarkson for Peters)
- A false return on the Register of Pecuniary Interest for 2006 (Payment of debt to David Carter for Peters)
Now these are not just mistakes or errors. Only because of the SFO investigation has this come to light. And it gets even worse. Most semi-honest people would, once they had been caught out, would at least reveal all. But no Peters does not.
He was instructed by the House of Representatives to file amended pecuniary interest returns for 2005, 2006 and 2007. And all he did was amend them to include the two donations that had already been publicly forced out (Owen Glenn and Spencer Trust for Clarkson) but he didn’t declare the $13,640.37 the Spencer Trust paid on his benhalf to David Carter in 2006. These are the actions (assuming Weekend Herald is correct) of a pathological liar, not a cleared man.
And on that issue, it sounds like Eye to Eye at 11.30 am on Sunday will be interesting watching as Matthew Hooton is on the panel with Peters as the guest. Quoting Roar Prawn:
TVNZ sources say that Willie Jackson’s Eye to Eye tomorrow will be one of the most fiery TV debating shows ever seen in New Zealand.
Winston fronted up to the Green Room, last night to tape the show that airs on 11.30 on Sunday on TVNZ, thinking he would be up for a cosy chat with his mates Barry Soper and Chris Trotter.
He was high on hearing that the SFO had dropped criminal charges, but he was less than impressed when he realised that Jackson had decided to replace Trotter with Matthew Hooton.
Hooton won’t talk about the encounter but BustedBlonde’s media sources say that Winston tried to bluff his way out of appearing with Hooton, . saying there was no way he was going to be with someone who called him a liar.
Before they even got on air, we understand Hooton then called him a liar, a crook and a lying c***t straight to his face.
Anyway, things didn’t get much better on air, and the air was so blue Jackson had to stop the pair at one stage and re- record the show.
Our sources say that Winston always wins these debates on points but Hooton had him on the ropes more than once refusing to kowtow to the liar (our words)
Our sources say it was one of the most brutal encounters they had ever witnessed on NZ television.
That is very typical of the mischievous Willie Jackson – invite Peters on and then have Hooton on also. Can’t wait to see it.
Related posts:
- Electoral Commission on NZ First
- Police not charging over false electoral returns
- Some more “innocent mistakes”
- More Spencer Trust details
October 11th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Bout time somone got in their lying faces.
Now lets some journalist grow a pair and pull Clark up short on her bullshit.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 11:36 am
that goes for national, too…
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Yeah because Duncan Garner gettign all breathless over pissant bullshit never gets old right?
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am
The very definition of dissembly is to pretend a story is about something other than what it’s really about.
Thus the entire NZ media did last night when covering this development.
If they really believe this demonstrates Peters’ innocence, then they’re thicker than a whale omelett.
If they don’t think that but think that we do, then they’re treating all of us with contempt.
There’s no third alternative.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I thought fraud was a crime and a civil law violation? Oh that’s right, silly me, Winny the puppet has friends in high places who argue the specific legal definition varies to suit the legal jurisdiction.
Wouldn’t it be nice too be in the Aunty Helen Above The Law Club !!!
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
“Wouldn’t it be nice too be in the Aunty Helen Above The Law Club”
Hulun treats our democracy with contempt by allowing a Minister to get away with breaking the electoral laws. It’s a shame this obvious facet isn’t raised more often so that more of our unfortunately large population of ignorant sheep can finally get it through their thick skulls.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
What is clear is that he has fraudulently deceived the Public by pretending his party was financed by $5 donations from old ladies when in fact he was receiving large gratuities from grateful millionaires. The fact that these large sums were channelled through a Trust operated by his brother and about which the elected office holders of the party were ignorant seems to stretch credibility…All the ingredients of the crime of fraud are difficult to establish hence the need for specialist investigators nothwithstanding which many cunning perpetraters remain successfully at large for many years.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Just what did Michael Kullen say to the SFO during their meeting prior to the Peters investigation??
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Probably mentioned that they’ll all be applying for their jobs again shortly and there aren’t as many positions as there were before.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I can’t help but worry that this ‘victory’ will be enough for Peter’s to stage a serious attempt at crossing the 5% threshold.
The segment of the voting public he aims for understands and cares about allegations of fraud, so it’s going to be a huge boon to Peters that he can say “look – not guilty! The SFO have given it their best shot and I’ve knocked the bastards off again!”.
But I don’t think that segment really cares about or understands the significance of all of the other illegalities that the SFO have raised and passed on.
To their ears it sounds something like “Not guilty of murder, but probably guilty of some building code violations and a couple of unpaid parking fines.”
I think Peter’s is dead in the water in Tauranga but I think he can leverage this result to have a real chance of getting across the 5% mark.
Every 3 years I think “maybe this year we’ve seen the last of him” and I keep getting let down by the voting public who just can’t see past the showmanship.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Personally, I can’t watch and/or listen to anything that has words coming from Winston Peters’ mouth.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Damn! – Going to be interesting Sunday morning TV. Can’t wait to see Hooten get in Winnie’s face! Bring it on!
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Reid, the third alternative is that TV1 pumped the winston story last nite as theyre only too aware as Tom B has mentioned that this will very likely help to get baubles back over the line which of course equals a probable 3 more years of mad cow rule.
The nats really have only themselves to blame – a policy on the sale of both tvnz and national socialist radio because of blatant political bias would have cowered or at least curbed the curs – as it is they see themselves free to campaign in a barely disguised way for their team.
Labor controls the (electronic)media plus the mad cow never underestimates the indifference, stupidity and short memory of us kiwis.
Until the nats and support parties can effectively counter the lefts control of the electronic media they will likely continue to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory (hope Im wrong).
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Winnies lost his foreign minister port folio and the investigation is not fully closed.
The Maori party have become the brokers of this election and leaning heavily to National.
They will win all the Maori seats and Pita Sharples has publicly stated he understands their time is ending.
The real question is, where will the NZF Maori MP’s fly to after the election?
I can definitely see Ron Mark in Act. His law and order stance is hugely agreeable to Rodney.
Winnie won’t win Tauranga.
I even wonder if there will be enough child less students and gays to keep the Greens afloat.
I want to say goodbye to two Sue’s this year
Bradford and Moroney.
Asta la Vesta baby.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
riki
Vote:If Ron Mark is in ACT, I’m out of it!
October 11th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I’m suprised Jackson set up a brown brother, to me he has always seemed to be somewhat colour blind when it came to one of his own. Prehaps even Jackson has become tied of the poodle man. Looks like a big day in front of the box tomorrow and the beer is on ice.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
The thing about Jackson ssb IMO, is that he is always happy to allow the other side to be heard, in full.
Yes he is a Peters suporter as per his radio show but that doesn’t mean he’s blind to the obvious lying and deceipt that’s occurred. Maybe it’s just part of the media illusion that he and JT take opposite positions regardless of whether they believe it or not.
Vote:October 11th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Admit it. Peters has out-foxed us all. The more he is dammed in public, the more his followers will see him as the Messiah.
Vote:I think I will take a hibernation pill and wake up post election.
October 11th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I thought twice about that idea Mara and I’m glad I did.
it would be great to wake up to a new New Zealand. In 40 yrs time.
Can you imagine waking up from 1968
What a horrible shock it would be.
Cosmetically appealing and then….. aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh
Vote:October 12th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Mara, I suggest taking two pills and not bothering to wake up, as you may not like the result!
If every damned concerned Kiwi doesn’t pull finger and VOTE against Labour this election, then we will really see what this nanny state is capable of doing, over the next term!
How much longer are we going to allow ourselves to be ruled by MINORITIES???
It’s time to stop whinging but doing nothing…start encouraging everyone you know to make sure that they vote this election.
Have to say that I’m DAMNED ANGRY!
BTW, I always enjoy watching E2E as I find WJ’s style quite entertaining, and I just can’t wait for this morning’s show!
Vote:October 12th, 2008 at 1:36 am
Having considered the trends of polling up to Nationals decline, and Helebans resurgence.
There is still every chance that this is true and fair, and that the much vaunted tax cuts were actually badly constructed.
My guess is that the tax cuts were established some time go, once the historical records were examined in PREFU, then they will have
been throttled back, and then the R&D tax credit brought in to help balance the books (Bad call), and then Kiwisaver credits were raided to further balance the books. The 2% entry point is entirely sensible, and it is just 1% in the UK.
What makes me spew is that Labour have totally fucked the economy and have no shame. They have lied and cheated, again.
SMUG, SMUG, SMUG, and I don’t believe the 10 year forecasts for one cotton picking minute. What a load of bollocks, this has changed massively this week, so you can throw the whole worksheet away.
Like a Private Pension has no implicit guarantee until you buy the annuity. The only people that get total pension comfort and the certainty are the Parliamentarians and their droids.
If National do scrape through with Maori, and ACT, then we have a chance of turning the economy around. If Labour AXIS scrape in then we can be sure of repeal of tax credits, and more control by the State. This Website will last no more than a month.
What is Labour AXIS secret Agenda?
Vote:October 12th, 2008 at 2:17 am
A vote for Labour is a vote for NON-DELIVERY of their promised tax cuts!
Vote:October 13th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
The books have been opened and the socialist liars are boasting
Tax cuts, student allowances. Bold face lies
There is NO money in the Kitty
Who’s asking the hard q’s after years of surplus????
As like Fairfield, journalism has finally been tamed.
Vote: