KEY POINTS:
Independent MP Taito Phillip Field has pleaded guilty to illegal building on a Papatoetoe house.
Mr Field, along with his company TP Field Developments, and builder Afano Tosoni were fined more than $31,000 at the Manukau District Court yesterday.
The three were charged with illegally converting a garage into a family room and a carport into a double garage.
Mr Field and his company were each fined $10,000 plus costs and Mr Alfano was fined $8500 plus costs.
In sentencing judge Harvey said Mr Field knew he needed a building consent for the work because he had received advice from the council and an information pack.
Mr Field said the penalties should send a message to homeowners that they must comply with the law.
The independent MP of Mangere faces 15 charges of bribery and 25 of obstructing or perverting the course of justice.
The charges arose out of allegations made against Mr Field over work done on properties he owned by Thai immigrants seeking to stay in New Zealand and over information he gave a subsequent inquiry.
- New Zealand Herald
