By Dan Parker
Police have decided the woman at the heart of extortion allegations involving ACC has no case to answer.
Police say Bronwyn Pullar did nothing criminal in her meeting with ACC and has an audio recording to prove it.
Ms Pullar was mistakenly sent the names and details of more than 6500 ACC claimants and it was alleged she had tried to use that information as leverage against the corporation.
But Police say that never happened.
Despite this, ACC chairman John Judge says the organisation is standing by staff who made the claims.
“Our staff at the meeting considered a threat had been made.”
ACC chief executive Ralph Stewart agrees.
“Referring the matter to police was the right thing to do given the seriousness of refusing to return confidential information that had been received in error.”
But Police say after reviewing an audio recording of a meeting involving Ms Pullar, her support person, former National Party president Michelle Boag and ACC, nothing criminal took place.
In a statement Ms Pullar says she is not surprised about the police decision.
“I didn't expect any other outcome.
"Almost two months ago ACC's legal counsel, Board Secretary and CEO Ralph Stewart all received a copy of the transcript and heard the recording of the December meeting in question."
But ACC denies ever receiving the recording.
The other issue is who leaked Ms Pullar's details publicly.
Mr Judge denies it came from ACC.
“It did not come from ACC as far as we are aware and we have searched as far as possible.”
Previously Labour's Trevor Mallard and Andrew Little claimed they knew.
“The finger points to the minister,” Mr Little says.
That minister, Judith Collins, is now suing the MPs for defamation.
And she's not the only one bringing in the lawyers.
Ms Pullar's supporter Ms Boag also says she is considering her options as ACC has impugned her reputation.
3 News
source: newshub archive
