Five Star founder Neill Williams has had 17 months added to his jail sentence for what prosecutors called "very cynical fraud".

Auckland Transport has called on external investigators to guide its inquiry into corruption claims and has stood down a senior manager on indefinite leave.

Three directors of Dominion Finance and North South Finance were all sentenced to at least 10 months' home detention today.

Two large public transport organisations - Auckland Transport and KiwiRail - are holding inquiries into separate allegations of corruption over contracts.

A lawyer struck off over accusations of stealing nearly $3 million from clients has had 33 criminal charges laid against him.

A 42-year-old foreign exchange trader has pleaded guilty to stealing from investors that included his family and friends.

Shares in Wynyard Group gained ground after the intelligence software developer signed up the Serious Fraud Office as its latest customer for an undisclosed sum.

Serious Fraud Office investigation and prosecution numbers have dropped by about a quarter but its boss warns that is no indication there is less white collar crime.

An Auckland businesswoman accused over a $9.2 million mortgage ramping scheme is expected to enter a plea at her next appearance.

David Ross appeared briefly in the Wellington District Court this morning, where hearings were adjourned to August 22.

A former North Island mayor has applied for the High Court to dismiss some of the charges he is facing in a Serious Fraud Office case.

Three more charges have been laid today against the alleged Ponzi-schemer David Ross.

More than half a decade after authorities began probing the failed Five Star Group, founder Neill Williams has pleaded guilty to the last of the charges he faced.

Five Star founder Neill Williams - the so-called "puppeteer" at the failed finance group - has changed his plea to guilty, just four days into his trial.

The last men standing from Dominion Finance have now pleaded guilty but could still face further court action if authorities continue with their civil case against the firm's directors and seek penalties of up to $500,000 from each of them.

Dominion Finance and North South Finance directors Rick Bettle and Vance Arkinstall have pleaded guilty to five Securities Act charges in the High Court.

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper says he's shattered by news the Taupo District Council is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office.

A Chinese exporter made secret payments to managers of a New Zealand dairy-processing company that ordered products from the foreign firm, according to court documents.

Former Dominion Finance directors Robert Barry Whale and Ann Butler have both been sentenced to terms of home detention in the High Court in Auckland today.

David Ross' out-of-pocket investors expressed relief when the alleged Ponzi-schemer was arrested and charged yesterday, but he was bailed back to his luxury home.

The Serious Fraud Office has laid charges against financial adviser David Ross, who is alleged to have operated a $400 million Ponzi scheme.

The former Lombard directors, including Sir Douglas Graham, are heading to the Supreme Court over their convictions for making false statements in a prospectus.

Belgrave Finance director Stephen Smith has been sentenced to four years in jail.

The former director and owner of an Auckland media agency is facing 23 deception and dishonesty charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office.

A Remuera businesswoman allegedly headed a $9.2 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved her siblings, friends and eleven Auckland properties.

Two women and five men have been charged this morning over an alleged mortgage fraud scheme involving over $9 million.