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A man who brought a private prosecution for assault against Labour Cabinet Minister Trevor Mallard today resoundingly denied 50 charges of providing Inland Revenue with false documents.
In response to each charge called out in Wellington District Court, 64-year-old Graham Edward McCready replied: "Absolutely, positively, not guilty."
A jury of four men and eight women was chosen for the two week trial that started today in front of Judge Mike Behrens.
McCready was charged with one count of aiding and abetting a company to return a false income tax return, 27 charges of returning a false income returns for individuals, 21 charges of filing a false GST returns and one charge of evading income tax.
In 2007 McCready brought a private prosecution against Labour MP Mr Mallard for assaulting National MP Tau Henare outside Parliament's debating chamber.
Mr Mallard lashed out at Mr Henare, who had been taunting him about his private life.
He was convicted of the lesser offence of fighting in a public place and ordered to pay $500 to the Salvation Army Bridge programme, which deals with alcohol and drug dependency.
- NZPA
