Field treated like a chief in jail says wife
Supreme Court judges reserve decision on an appeal by Taito Phillip Field.
Jailed former member of parliament Taito Phillip Field is still treated like an MP by fellow prisoners, his wife said.
Field was the first New Zealand politician to be convicted of bribery and corruption.
Supreme Court judges yesterday heard arguments and reserved their decision on an appeal by Field.
In October 2009, Field was jailed for six years after being convicted by a jury in the High Court at Auckland of 11 charges of bribery and corruption as a MP, and 15 charges of perverting the course of justice.
He was charged after then Prime Minister Helen Clark ordered an inquiry into allegations he had traded immigration favours for tiling, painting or plastering work on his properties in New Zealand and Samoa.
The Court of Appeal last year dismissed an appeal by Field, upholding the trial judge's interpretation of the legislation, jury direction, handling of evidence, and conviction and sentencing decisions.
Yesterday counsel for Field told the Supreme Court there was no "bribery" offence in New Zealand and that the jury had not been properly directed on the term.
Field's wife of 17 years, Maxine Gallagher-Field, told the media outside the court her husband had done nothing wrong, and was a victim of his own generosity.
"This is someone who has been active in helping hundreds and hundreds of people. He is in prison for helping people. He believes in his innocence and we believe in him."
Field did not get special treatment in prison, but his fellow prisoners treated him like a chief.
"They're all together there. He's really good friends with everybody. It's like he's still a member of Parliament inside there. People come to him for help, for writing letters, or when they have a parole hearing."
Mrs Gallagher-Field visits her husband twice a week in Spring Hill Prison in Waikato
NZPA
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
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Field treated like a chief in jail says wife
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