Allegations of fraud by contractors working on Christchurch earthquake rebuild
New Zealand authorities are investigating two “very big” cases of alleged fraud by contractors working on the Christchurch rebuild.
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says 20 cases have been handed over to police and so far four have been successfully prosecuted.
“There are two very big cases being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office at the present time and there is a file of numerous other cases where there are discrepancies in invoicing,” he told Parliament. Brownlee said the estimate came from an analysis of projects of the same size that had been undertaken elsewhere in the world.
Brownlee was answering questions from NZ First leader Winston Peters. Peters tabled a complaint to the police regarding the alleged falsification of time sheets by Southern Demolition and Salvage Ltd.
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