Ex-officer denies misconduct

Photo / APN

The former top officer facing a fresh police investigation has denied committing any crimes or breaching his employment contract.

Jon Moss resigned as the national manager of professional standards in September after failing to disclose he had an affair with a junior colleague.

The former superintendent was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing at the time but left the police before an internal conduct inquiry was completed.

He now works as senior investigator for the Real Estate Agents Authority, which advertised a salary of more than $150,000.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad yesterday announced a second criminal investigation into Mr Moss after a second affair with a high-ranking Government official was revealed.

"Information was given to me in the last couple of days ... which suggested that there was an unresolved criminal allegation and it ought to be looked at and that's what will happen," Mr Broad said.

Through his lawyer John Haigh, QC, Mr Moss said: "Any allegations that I committed a criminal offence or breached [my] employment contract are false."

Mr Moss also said allegations of stalking or death threats against the woman were untrue.

The woman at the centre of the scandal declined to comment.

"[I] am not in a good place at the moment, sorry. Not a nice place to be," she said.

Mr Broad said the manner in which Mr Moss was employed by the Real Estate Agents Authority was a matter for that agency.

The authority is obtaining an independent legal review of Mr Moss' appointment, which Associate Justice Minister Nathan Guy said was the right thing to do.

"As the minister with responsibility for the REAA I want to be reassured that all the proper processes have been followed in this case."

Authority chairwoman Kristy McDonald, QC, said she had asked Wellington lawyer John Edwards to conduct the review. Mr Moss would not be stood down or take leave while the review was conducted.

- Additional reporting by NZPA