[ad_1]
RICKY WILSON / Stuff
NZ First frontman Winston Peters is expected to speak to the media this afternoon.
The Serious Fraud Office says it will release a statement on its investigation into the NZ First Foundation donation scandal on Tuesday afternoon.
The foundation has been under investigation since February, after both Stuff Y RNZ published reports on the foundation’s activities.
The foundation appeared to be accepting donations and paying expenses outside the Election Commission’s scrutiny, for the NZ First party.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying it would release a statement on its investigation at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Peters was also expected to speak to the media at the same time.
Lawrence Smith / Stuff
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and attorney Brian Henry, Trustee of the NZ First Foundation.
READ MORE:
* Winston Peters confirms that Brexit political agents work for the NZ First campaign
* The NZ First Foundation funded the parliamentarian’s trip to the UK elections
* SFO will complete NZ First Foundation investigation prior to election
* Serious Fraud Office will investigate First New Zealand Foundation
The Electoral Commission, in February, referred the matter of the NZ First Foundation donations to the police after determining that “the donations were not properly transmitted to the Party and were not disclosed as required by the 1993 Election Law.”
The police then referred the matter to the OFS.
NZ First leader Winston Peters has said that the SFO would not find any wrongdoing, and NZ First was acting as other political parties do.
He routinely distanced himself from the foundation, saying he had made sure it was legal but was not involved beyond that.
Peters said he had asked the party to review donation practices in light of the Elections Commission’s findings.
Stuff NZ First Foundation trustees Brian Henry and Doug Woolerton were contacted early Tuesday, both declining to comment on the SFO investigation.
The 2020 elections will be held on October 17. Voting abroad begins Wednesday and early voting begins Saturday.
