Council staff thwart attempted bribery

Auckland Council is praising its staff for “doing the right thing” in immediately reporting an attempted bribery case now before the courts.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today brought a charge of corruption and bribery of an official against a man who is alleged to have attempted to bribe a council resource consents staff member.

Council’s Chief Operating Officer, Dean Kimpton, says any form of bribery is unacceptable. Unfortunately from time to time there are reported incidents of suspected attempts to influence council staff and these are investigated thoroughly and action taken where appropriate. This action includes training and awareness-raising.

“We are very proud of the fact that in each case where staff members have felt concerned they have immediately reported it to a senior manager,” said Mr Kimpton.

He said Transparency International’s annual corruption perception index consistently shows New Zealand being perceived as having one of the least corrupt public sectors in the world.

Mr Kimpton said bribery is not part of New Zealand culture and to keep it that way requires constant vigilance from Council staff and members of the community, and to continue to do the right thing by reporting any attempt to bribe.

ENDS

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