An Auckland drainlayer has been jailed for six months for bribing a Housing New Zealand official who awarded him nearly $2 million worth of drainage contracts ahead of other competitors.
John Gerard Collins, aged 42, was yesterday sentenced in the Auckland District Court on three corruption charges after he gave a Housing New Zealand official, Paul Joseph Graham, $57,000 in bribes between 1996 and 1997.
The bribes included $11,000 worth of cash payments, as well as cheques to help Graham buy a new car, boat and trailer.
In return, Graham awarded almost $1.9 million worth of contracts on a largely uncontested basis, to various drainage companies which Collins ran.
Judge Avinash Deobhakta said he had intended to sentence Collins to nine months' imprisonment but changed his mind after a string of supporters insisted he was the victim rather than the main perpetrator.
Family friends and associates told Judge Deobhakta Collins was a generous, kind man who had been under severe financial and emotional strain because of a marriage breakup.
Defence lawyer Kevin Ryan, QC, said Graham was the mastermind behind the scheme and was responsible for enlisting Collins' support.
Graham was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment last July for his involvement.
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