Three charged with corruption and bribery after SFO investigation

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has laid charges against three individuals in relation to allegations of bribery worth more than $1 million involving previous employees of Auckland Transport and Rodney District Council.

Stephen James Borlase (50), Barrie Kenneth James George (68) and one other, have made their first appearance in the North Shore District Court to face Crimes Act charges of corruption and bribery of an official.

The SFO is alleging that Mr George and an associate, while in various engineering and management roles either at Auckland Transport or Rodney District Council, received undisclosed payments or gratuities from Mr Borlase, the director of a supplier to Auckland Transport and Rodney District Council, Projenz Ltd. The gratuities often came in the form of cash, travel, accommodation and entertainment.

The SFO allege a culture was created within the road maintenance division where the acceptance of gratuities was part and parcel of the working environment.

The alleged offending is said to have taken place between 2005 and 2013.

SFO Director, Julie Read said, “The SFO is committed to preventing corruption from taking root through investigating and prosecuting offending in the public or private sector. This is an important aspect of protecting New Zealand’s reputation as a safe place to invest and do business and to allow our economy to prosper.”

The defendants have been remanded on bail until 18 May.

ENDS

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