28 Nov 2017

SFO inquiring into former Waikato DHB boss' spending

2:18 pm on 28 November 2017

The Serious Fraud Office is the latest government agency to inquire into expenses at the Waikato District Health Board.

A thank you message from Nigel Murray sort of: RNZ Checkpoint

The SFO is inquiring into Nigel Murray's spending. Photo: RNZ / YouTube

The SFO confirmed today it has a preliminary inquiry under way into spending by the DHB's former chief, Nigel Murray.

Dr Murray, who was on a $560,000 salary, spent $218,000 on travel and expenses during his three years at the DHB.

The SFO said it's aware of the matter and has a preliminary inquiry under way though it is not yet investigating.

The executive director of the Senior Doctors' Union, Ian Powell, said scrutiny by the SFO is timely and appropriate.

In a leaked report last Friday, Audit New Zealand said information it had received about the spending raised concerns.

Meanwhile, it's understood a State Services Commission probe ordered by the Health Minister may not be completed until February.

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