Common courtesy please

The NBR likes to think they are better than all the rest. Several times though the blogging community has spanked them hard and as a result there is a certain amount of animosity. Still I guess the proof is in the pudding and in this case the pudding is readership. My blog has more readers a day than NBR has in a week. My readership is increasing and theirs is falling.

However it is just plain rude to follow the ACC corruption story a day behind this blogger, quote directly from this blog and not link. Also I am not just a “some commentators”, and only I have said “took one for the team” so using my name or website would have been common courtesy. Since NBR are being rude, I’ll be rude right back. Therefore as a punishment for not doing so I am going to publish their entire article that currently sits behind the paywall so everyone can see it. Next time provide a link or I’ll just keep doing this.

More to the ACC property fraud case than today’s conviction

A Serious Fraud Office statement today outlining the guilty plea of Malcolm David Mason on corruption charges has prompted accusations by some commentators that he “took one for the team.”

The SFO’s media statement refers to suppression orders made by the court prohibiting publication of names and facts that may reveal the identity of a second person facing charges of offering a bribe. The suppression orders also prevent publication of names of two other people involved in a peripheral way.

The suppression orders are subject to further hearings over the next few days and the SFO will oppose continued suppression.

Internet blog sites ran hot with speculation today.

Mason, 50, had worked at ACC for 32 years and at the time of his arrest was ACC’s national property manager. In late 2006 ACC wanted to replace some of its existing premises. Mr Mason passed details of ACC intentions to a property developer friend which allowed the developer to buy the site that Mr Mason subsequently recommended to his superiors as being suitable for the new branch. ACC agreed to lease the building and received a reward of $160,000 when the developer sold the building.

Mr Mason also admitted corruptly receiving a gift to the value of $9000, in the form of a business class trip to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, from a real estate agent in return for involving him in securing a long term lease for another ACC building.

The allegations have involved a wel known closeknit group of property players in Wellington.

The story broke in April after ACC reviewed the way the corporation had carried and leases and purchases of buildings. This culminated in the dismissal of Mason after a deal he was involved in prompted complaints by ACC Minister Nick Smith about high rentals that other tenants felt was too high for the area.

Sentencing will take place on March 15 in Wellington High Court.