Auditor General Lyn Provost will lead an investigation into Len Brown’s relationship with casino operator SkyCity. Auckland’s mayor has been accused of soliciting freebies and perks from the gaming company, and the inquiry will determine whether or not there is any truth to these allegations.
Local councillors already determined that it was inappropriate for Mr Brown to accept casino upgrades and free rooms at the venue, especially since he was involved in the decision-making regarding the SkyCity convention centre deal. Now, Ms Provost will determine whether or not the mayor had actively requested this special treatment.
According to the New Zealand Herald, it is common knowledge that Mr Brown only received these perks because is the mayor of Auckland. However, it is unknown whether or not these freebies influenced his decisions about the SkyCity convention centre deal and if he solicited the items in order to sway his vote.
The total cost of the free rooms and upgrades is around $4600, and his wife could also be culpable for accepting the perks. The mayor denies that the special treatment prompted him to vote in favour of the deal, but he has admitted that he acted wrongly by accepting the freebies.
“I accept that as mayor I am subject to a higher standard of public accountability, and in this context I should not have accepted the free rooms offered to me,” he says. However, local residents are not convinced that the perks did not influence his vote for SkyCity’s convention centre deal.
Previously, he was very outspoken about problem gambling, so it would make sense that Mr Brown is actually opposed to the expansion of SkyCity Auckland. Another curious issue regards funding he received for his mayoral campaign in 2010. SkyCity provided him with $15 000 to fund his campaign, and now the Auditor General must ascertain whether or not it was Mr Brown that solicited the donation.
About the Author
