Ex-MP guilty of obstructing justice

Gilbert Myles in 2009. Photo / Daily Post

A man found guilty of attempting to obstruct the course of justice in a pokie machine fraud case has been revealed as former National and New Zealand First MP Gilbert Myles.

Myles had name suppression lifted in Auckland District Court today, after Judge Roderick Joyce found him guilty of the charge.

But Myles and another accused Robert Briggs were also found not guilty of using documents with intent to defraud, and conspiracy to use documents dishonestly with intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage.

They had been on trial with two others for being involved in a $1.8 million swindle of Auckland sports clubs, a children's charity, and various companies set up around gaming machines between 2003 and 2005.

A Christchurch businessman, who has name suppression, was found guilty of using documents with intent to defraud, and conspiracy to use documents dishonestly with intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage.

A businesswoman who also has name suppression, was found not guilty of using documents with intent to defraud, and conspiracy to use documents dishonestly with intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage.

Briggs pleaded guilty at the start of the trial to six charges of corruptly accepting money from various organisations, and two charges of using documents dishonestly with intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage.

Myles, Briggs and the businessman were remanded on bail until August 26 for sentencing.

- NZPA