Sir Ngatata Love taken to hospital during fraud trial
Maori leader Sir Ngatata Love has been taken to hospital as his fraud trial entered its second week.
Maori leader Sir Ngatata Love has been taken to hospital as his fraud trial entered its second week.
Sir Ngatata, who was knighted for his services to Maori in 2008, is charged with obtaining a secret commission and significant sums by deception. The Crown says he signed an agreement in late 2006 with a property developer to ensure it could lease land owned by the Wellington Tenths Trust, which Sir Ngatata chaired, and he received service fees through Pipitea Street Development (PSDL), a company owned by his partner, Lorraine Skiffington, without the trust's knowledge.
Ms The Crown says Sir Ngatata and Ms Skiffington were paid $1.5 million, which they used to repay a loan. Skiffington was also charged but has been granted a permanent stay due to her ill health, while Sir Ngatata's son Matene Love has already pleaded guilty to accepting a secret commission.
Shaan Stevens, another director at PDSL, gave part of his evidence this morning but stopped when Love was taken to hospital. It's not clear whether the court hearing will resume this afternoon.
Sir Ngatata is represented by Colin Carruthers QC while Grant Burston is appearing for the Crown.
(BusinessDesk)
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Sophie Boot
Mon, 08 Aug 2016
Mon, 08 Aug 2016
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Sir Ngatata Love taken to hospital during fraud trial
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