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Former police adviser Paul Eagle could face investigation by police or local government regulators, after a scathing Auditor-General’s report that’s forced him to resign from the deeply indebted Chatham Islands council.
Newsroom first revealed in January that he’d shipped over premium German-engineered Miele kitchen appliances for the $460,000 renovation of his council house; now the Office of the Auditor-General has highlighted that $18,000 expenditure as an aspect of his spending blowout.
The Auditor-General explicitly flagged up the question of whether Eagle had broken the law by altering quotes and contracts. “We consider that the chief executive’s actions were unacceptable and demonstrated exceptionally poor practice and judgment,” his inquiry reported. “We have not reached a view on the legality of the chief executive’s actions. In this case, we consider it sufficient to draw the council, Parliament, and the public’s attention to the matter.”
Local Government Minister Simon Watts says he’s requested advice, to help him determine whether further action is required.
It’s believed that could mean referring the matter to Internal Affairs regulators, or to the police.
“New Zealanders rightly expect public money to be managed transparently, lawfully, and with integrity,” he says. “Where those expectations are not met, confidence is undermined.” [...]
“I have requested advice from officials, who are now closely examining the report to determine what action or oversight may be necessary,” Watts says. “Upon receiving that advice, I will determine whether further action is required.
“This is a very serious matter, and the community deserves accountability.”
Newsroom
