Corrupt ACC property manager pleads guilty

Serious Fraud Office chief executive Adam Feeley Photo / Brett Phibbs

The former national property manager for the ACC has today pleaded guilty to corruption charges brought by the Serious Fraud Office.

Malcolm Mason this morning plead guilty to two Crimes Act charges and one Secret Commissions Act charge in the Wellington District Court.

The charges arose from his time as national property manager for the Accident Compensation Corporation.

Mason admitted corruptly receiving a payment of $160,000 from a property developer in return for using his position at the ACC to ensure the involvement of a developer known to him in the construction and leasing of a new ACC branch office.

Mason, 50, also admitted corruptly receiving a gift to the value of $9,000, in the form of a business class trip to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, from a real estate agent in return for involving him in securing a long term lease for another ACC building.

In addition to receiving the payment and the gift, Mason also admitted passing a confidential document listing all Government Departmental Security Officers to an associate involved in the business of installing security systems.

Mason, who worked at ACC for 32 years, was remanded on bail for sentencing on 15 March 2011.

The SFO said Mason had responsibility for procuring premises for the ACC, tendering for property development and negotiating lease terms between the corporation and landlords.

SFO chief executive Adam Feeley said although corruption cases were rare in New Zealand, it was important to deal with them swiftly in order to maintain public confidence.

"New Zealand has a hard-earned reputation for very low levels of corruption, and that reputation needs to be protected by constant vigilance by government agencies, along with public cooperation in reporting untoward activities."

- NZ HERALD ONLINE