Forged SFO email accused must surrender passport
Lawyers acting for Anita Killeen, charged with four counts relating to an alleged email smear of SFO boss Adam Feeley, make their first appearance in court.
The former Serious Fraud Office chief prosecutor charged with forging emails in an attempt to smear Adam Feeley has been ordered to surrender her passport.
Anita Killeen (pictured) was not present at the Auckland District Court today for her first appearance, with her lawyer requesting – and being granted – a three-week adjournment.
Ms Killeen has two QCs defending her. She is being represented by Paul Davison QC but as Mr Davison is busy in Wellington acting for Sir Douglas Graham in the Lombard Finance trial, this morning John Haigh QC acted for her.
Mr Haigh presented a letter from Ms Killeen outlining what he called “very rare” circumstances that would require an adjornment until December 21.
Judge Tony Fitzgerald granted the request and suppressed the letter and sealed the court file.
Ms Killeen is facing four charges under the Crimes Act relating to accessing the SFO’s computer systems, modifying an email, and distributing the modified email to newsrooms at the National Business Review and the New Zealand Herald.
The charges allege she created a forged email, purporting to be from SFO chief executive Adam Feeley, and intended for it to be acted on as if genuine. Last week Police served search warrants on the NBR and the New Zealand Herald.
Judge Fitzgerald ruled Ms Killeen was to be remanded at large, but was required to surrender her passport and travel documents by Friday.
Matt Nippert
Wed, 30 Nov 2011
Wed, 30 Nov 2011
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Forged SFO email accused must surrender passport
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