10 July 2008

SFO Architect Of Its Own Demise

Former Serious Fraud Office (SFO) Director David Brashaw’s warning that scrapping his agency would bring an end to high-end white collar crime investigations and prosecutions in New Zealand is without merit says New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“The history of the SFO has been to compile a track record of picking on the little fellas whilst totally failing to pursue or prosecute any of the big players in white collar crime in this country,” said Mr Peters.

“In short, it totally failed to follow up on the most potent method of attacking organised crime. Any commentator should remember that tax fraud was the method used by the United States Government to bring down Al Capone.

“The office’s duty to prosecute and prevent was never met and that is why there is a need for these operations to come under a professional and disciplined police force. An adequately resourced and trained organised crime section of the police will be able to ensure that a focus on white collar crime properly occurs.

“This office signed its death warrant when it totally failed to follow up on prosecutions during the Winebox affair and gave as one of its most disgraceful excuses, the effluxion of time. All of which occurred due to the office failing to act properly when information was sitting right under its nose,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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