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One of the defendants charged by the First New Zealand Foundation Serious Fraud Office has lost his name suppression, but neither defendant can be named yet.
The OFS accuses the couple of obtaining by deception.
The indictment documents allege that the couple deposited nearly $ 800,000 over a five-year period into First New Zealand bank accounts and did not disclose it to the First New Zealand party secretary or the Election Commission.
In a decision released today, Judge Orchard dismissed the request for continued deletion of the name, but it will remain in effect until December 14, unless an appeal is filed.
The first defendant complained to the court that the case has been “politicized” and that they are being used to attack the leader of First New Zealand, Winston Peters.
They called on controversial blogger Cameron Slater to support their crackdown attempt, and Slater supported the claim that the media would treat the case unfairly.
But Judge Orchard rejected those claims.
“While I accept that this allegation has attracted considerable media interest, both from the mainstream media and others, including bloggers, I do not accept that if the suppression order is lifted [suppressed name] it is likely that he will not receive a fair trial, “he said in the decision published today.
None of the defendants is a minister, a sitting MP, a candidate in the 2020 election or a member of their staff, or a current member of New Zealand’s first political party.
The second defendant in the case has not requested removal of the name, but cannot be named while the first defendant seeks removal.
