SSC Comments on Chief Executive of SFO

17 October 2011

Statement from the State Services Commissioner regarding the Serious Fraud Office Chief Executive and Director, Adam Feeley

The State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie today provided his comments on the actions of chief executive Adam Feeley over two SFO staff social gatherings in 2010.

“The first matter relates to a staff gathering and the consumption of wine in May 2010. Recognising staff achievement is reasonable but by making the association with Bridgecorp explicit in an email to staff and introducing a bottle of wine that had Bridgecorp origins was ill-advised and demonstrated a lapse of judgement on this occasion.

“In respect to any question around ownership of the bottle of wine, I am not aware of any evidence that would suggest Mr Feeley acted with dishonest intent.

“Mr Feeley recognises that he has caused unnecessary embarrassment to his Minister and has expressed his regret and apologised for his actions.

“The second matter involves the handing out of copies of Mr Allan Hubbard’s biography at a prize-giving as part of a staff Christmas gathering in December 2010. Mr Feeley has advised me that a range of books with a business and leadership focus were distributed to staff at the time as recognition of their achievement. Mr Allan Hubbard’s biography was amongst the books presented.

“In this instance I find that Mr Feeley took an unnecessary risk in choosing a book where the selection of it could be interpreted as inappropriate.

“Mr Feeley is an effective chief executive and leader of the Serious Fraud Office and under his leadership, the performance of the Office has been significantly strengthened.

“I intend to discuss with Mr Feeley my expectations of his behaviour as a chief executive and to caution him to take care in all he does as his actions will always be open to scrutiny and interpretation.

“I have decided that no further action is necessary,” Iain Rennie said.

ENDS

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