Justice Ministry to be reviewed, as minister's confidence in agency 'seriously shaken'
New Zealand's Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has ordered a review of his ministry after it was revealed a staffer was paid for five years while suspended due to criminal charges. The employee, Russell Harrison, was only terminated after pleading guilty to money laundering.
Why it matters
This incident highlights significant administrative failures and the misuse of public funds within government agencies.
The Minister of Justice has ordered a rapid review of his ministry following its handling of a former employee, saying his confidence in the agency has been "seriously shaken."
Paul Goldsmith said paying somebody for five years without working "cannot be justified", and he's "seriously concerned" about how it occurred.
Goldsmith, who is also the public service minister, has instructed all chief executives in the public service be given strong guidance for managing employment cases that involve criminal proceedings.
He said the issue was mishandled consistently for five years.
"We only found out about this entire episode because my office asked. My confidence in the Ministry has been seriously shaken by this," said Goldsmith in a statement.
The former Lotto presenter Russell Harrison had been arrested in June 2021 as part of a global FBI sting targeting organised crime and was granted interim name suppression.
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