Fraud accused choose not to call evidence

Four people, including a former MP, have decided against calling evidence in a trial on fraud charges involving nearly $2 million.

The former MP, along with Auckland businessman Robert Briggs, an Auckland woman, and a Christchurch businessman, is accused of involvement in an alleged $1.8 million swindle of Auckland sports clubs, a children's charity, and various companies set up around gaming machines between 2003 and 2005.

All have name suppression bar Briggs.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today completed presenting its evidence in the trial which began on May 2 at Auckland District Court.

Lawyers for all four accused this afternoon then indicated they did not wish to give evidence themselves nor call any witnesses.

SFO prosecutor Mike Ruffin indicated its closing submissions will start on Monday. Submissions for the four defendants will begin on Wednesday, May 24.

Briggs has already admitted six charges of corruptly accepting money from various organisations.

He and the other three accused denied charges of conspiracy to use documents with intent to defraud, and conspiracy to use documents dishonestly with intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage.

The former MP also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to use documents dishonestly with intent to obtain a pecuniary advantage and attempting to obstruct the course of justice.

Briggs is accused of arranging for the tennis clubs and children's charity to take grants of money raised by the pokie machines. They are then said to have paid money back to him through a series of companies involving his fellow accused.

The trial is before Judge Roderick Joyce alone.