Ex-Auckland Council manager, contractor guilty on bribery charges

(File)
(File)

A former Auckland transport manager and a roading contractor have been found guilty of corruption charges at Auckland's High Court.

Justice Sally Fitzgerald convicted contractor Murray Noone on all six charges of receiving bribes from Stephen Borlase who in turn was found guilty of eight charges for offering bribes.

The charges ranged from 2006 to 2013. Outside court prosecutor Brian Dickey said the conviction sends a clear message.

Borlase was found not guilty of four charges regarding the inflation of invoices.

Both men have been remanded on bail, so will get to spend Christmas with family.

The judge says the remand on bail will not reflect the gravity of the sentencing.

Sentencing is set for February 22, 2017.

In the trial, Mr Dickey told the court Noone - who managed the council's contracts for its northern road maintenance - had been given about 300 payments totalling $1.1m from Projenz and about $80,000 in gifts, including 11 overseas trips that had nothing to do with work.

Borlase's company had given gifts to other employees at the council's transport division, including overseas and domestic travel, accommodation, entertainment, including a dinner at Auckland's up-market French Cafe, and even a wedding gift to a staffer's daughter - all which were written up as expenses, Mr Dickey said.

Earlier in September, another senior AT manager, Barrie George - who reported directly to Noone - was sentenced to 10 months for taking about $100,000 in bribes, including alcohol, travel and accommodation.

Rodney District Council was disestablished in 2010 when it became part of the Auckland super city, with its transport work moving over to Auckland Transport.

Newshub.