SFO not pursuing complaint against Meat Workers Union

SFO not pursuing complaint against Meat Workers Union

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced today that it would not be investigating a complaint made regarding the financial affairs of the New Zealand Meat Workers & Related Trades Union Inc.

SFO Chief Executive, Adam Feeley, said that an immediate evaluation of the information provided to SFO investigators failed to disclose any evidence of fraud.

"We encourage any member of the public to contact us where they have any reasonable grounds to believe that a serious financial crime may be taking place. However, it is equally important that the resources of law enforcement agencies are not unnecessarily drawn into matters where other, more appropriate, courses of action are available."

Mr Feeley added that any issues regarding regulatory compliance were matters for the Registrar of Incorporated Societies to consider.

The SFO has communicated this result to the complainant and to the Union.

ENDS

For further information

Andrea Linton
Serious Fraud Office
027 705 4550

Role of the SFO

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was established in 1990 under the Serious Fraud Office Act in response to the collapse of financial markets in New Zealand at that time.

The SFO operates three investigative teams:

• Fraud Detection & Intelligence;
• Financial Markets & Corporate Fraud; and
• Fraud & Corruption.

The SFO operates under two sets of investigative powers.

Part I of the SFO Act provides that it may act where the Director "has reason to suspect that an investigation into the affairs of any person may disclose serious or complex fraud."

Part II of the SFO Act provides the SFO with more extensive powers where: "...the Director has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence involving serious or complex fraud may have been committed..."

The SFO's Statement of Intent 2011-2014 sets out the SFO's three year strategic goals and performance standards. It is available online at: www.sfo.govt.nz