Taito Phillip Field faces numerous bribery and corruption charges.
Taito Phillip Field faces numerous bribery and corruption charges.
KEY POINTS:
MP Taito Phillip Field says his conscience is clear and he expects to be fully cleared of bribery and corruption charges.
A depositions hearing to determine if Field will face a High Court trial began yesterday in the Manukau District Court.
He faces 15 bribery and corruption chargesrelating to allegations he allowed Thai immigrants to work on seven of his properties for no payment, other than for costs.
Police allege the Thai workers did the free work in exchange for Field's help on immigration matters.
At the time Field was an Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs and Associate Minister of Justice.
He also faces 25 charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice once an inquiry into the corruption allegations had begun.
Outside court, Field told reporters his conscience was clear and he was confident the court process would clear him of all charges. "In the end, truth will come out."
His family had suffered emotionally and financially since the allegations first surfaced, he said.
"Three years is a long time for a family to endure this sort of persecution, and not only persecution in terms of what you have seen publicly but also in terms of finances ... [My] life savings are just about depleted in terms of legal costs," he said.
Crown prosecutor Simon Moore said properties in Auckland, Wellington and Samoa were central to the Crown case.
After Mr Moore's opening address, the hearing was adjourned until next week because of court scheduling problems.
It is expected to take three weeks, and 30 witnesses are expected to give evidence.
