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Scutts found guilty of fraud after accepting kickbacks

Scutts found guilty of fraud after accepting kickbacks in wine industry

By Anna Lu

May 21 (BusinessDesk) - Peter Scutts, the former head of New Zealand Wine Co, was found guilty of 17 fraud charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office in the Auckland High Court today.

He was found guilty of 16 charges under the Crimes Act relating to dishonestly using a document, a violation that can result in up to seven year imprisonment, and one Secret Commissions Act charge of taking kick-backs, mostly during his time as NZWC’s chief executive from July 2011 to September 2012.

Scutts was found to have taken $64,000 in secret commissions from an Australian-based wine wholesaler.

NZWC, whose wine brands include Grove Mill, Sanctuary and Frog Haven, has since merged with Foley Family Wines, the Californian winemaker owned by entrepreneur Bill Foley.

SFO director Julie Read said fighting corruption and bribery are top priorities for the SFO as it strives to uphold New Zealand’s reputation as a safe place for business and investment.

Sentencing is due on July 10.

(BusinessDesk)

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