SFO alleges former council manager and associates fraudulently obtained more than $12 million from two councils

The Serious Fraud Office has filed charges against a former council manager and two associates alleging they deceived two councils into awarding contracts valued at more than $12 million to an engineering firm they controlled.

The three people, who have interim name suppression, face two charges each of obtaining by deception. They appeared in the Porirua District Court today, where they entered not guilty pleas and elected trial by jury.

The charges allege that the first defendant, while employed at Auckland Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council working on infrastructure projects, was at the same time involved in running an engineering firm with the remaining two defendants.

It is alleged that the first defendant used their council positions to obtain more than $12 million in work for the engineering firm, including manipulating the procurement process.

Of this $12 million, it is alleged the engineering firm received $1.7 million from Auckland Council between 2011 and 2015, and $10.5 million from Kāpiti Coast District Council between 2015 and 2024.

The SFO would like to acknowledge Kāpiti Coast District Council and Auckland Council for their co-operation and assistance during its investigation. Kāpiti Coast District Council referred this matter to the SFO following its own internal audit.

The defendants’ next scheduled appearance is at the Porirua District Court on 15 September.

Source: Auckland Council