Disgraced
member of parliament Philip Hans Field has been ordered to pay $27,480 being
the assessed value of work carried out on his properties by immigrants
providing free labour in the hope of getting a New Zealand visa. This payment is in the nature of a fine, paid
to the government not the immigrants personally.
Sentenced to six years
imprisonment in 2009 after being convicted of bribery and attempting to pervert
the course of justice, Field was sued under proceeds of crime legislation. These rules are designed to stop offenders
benefitting from crimes committed.
A number of Thai
immigrants worked on five properties owned by Field: four properties in New
Zealand and a house under construction in Samoa. The work involved tiling, plastering and
painting. Evidence for the government
priced the value of the “free” labour at $58,000. Some of the work was described as being of a
low standard and “pretty shoddy”. Field
said there is a difference between a thorough job and a quick job; he valued
the labour at approximately $15,500.
The High Court fixed
the penalty payable at $27,480.
Evidence was given
that the four New Zealand properties were sold at an aggregate profit of
$387,500 after being owned on average for a period of 18 months.
Solicitor-General
v. Field – High Court (3.09.12)
12.025