1 September 2016

High Court Sentencing

Auckland Transport welcomes the sentence handed down to a former employee in the High Court today.

Barrie Kenneth James George faced charges relating to corruption and bribery in his capacity as an official. He had earlier pleaded guilty.

The charges were brought by the Serious Fraud Office following an internal investigation by Auckland Transport, which began in 2012. As a result of that internal investigation Mr George and several other staff were either dismissed or resigned, and the file was handed over to the SFO.

AT Chief Executive David Warburton says the internal investigation and subsequent court charges shows the organisation’s systems and procurement processes were robust, however they need to be continually monitored and reviewed.

Mr Warburton acknowledged the “thorough and professional” part that the SFO had played in bringing the case to court and the support the AT Board have given management throughout the process.

As several other individuals are still before the courts in relation to similar matters, AT is not in a position to make any further comment.

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