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Independent MP Taito Phillip Field is likely to learn tomorrow whether he will face trial over bribery and corruption charges.
After four weeks of evidence from about 50 prosecution witnesses, Judge Charles Blackie is expected to rule on whether Field has a case to answer and should be committed for trial.
The former Labour MP faces 15 charges of bribery and corruption alleging he accepted work on seven of his properties by Thai nationals in return for immigration assistance between November 2002 and October 2005 in his capacity as an MP.
He also faces a further 25 charges alleging he attempted to obstruct or pervert the course of justice by making false statements, encouraging others to make false statements and creating false documents during subsequent inquiries into the corruption allegations by Noel Ingram, QC, and by police.
This morning the officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Superintendent Malcolm Burgess, said he was aware of claims that at least two women were seeking out Thai overstayers and being paid for referring them to Field for help.
Cross-examined by defence counsel Paul Davison, QC, Mr Burgess said one woman - Jinda Thaivichit - had been interviewed several times as part of the inquiry, but there was no evidence to support the suggestion she was taking money for referring overstayers to Field.
He said the focus of the police inquiry was on Field, not the sources of information.
He was satisfied the investigation was sufficient to meet the needs of the inquiry to determine the interaction between Field and Thai people.
Re-examined by David Johnston for the prosecution, Mr Burgess said there was nothing unlawful about accepting money from Thai immigrants unless it was under a false pretence or a fraudulent activity.
Mr Davison asked Mr Burgess about the discovery process where documents were provided to the defence.
Mr Burgess said police had considered more than 15,000 documents.
- NZPA
