Former Lombard Finance director Sir Douglas Graham, one of four directors to face legal charges over the failed company, has stepped down from a government role as a Treaty of Waitangi facilitator.On March 3, Sir Douglas was appointed by Minister for Trea
Former Lombard Finance director Sir Douglas Graham, one of four directors to face legal charges over the failed company, has stepped down from a government role as a Treaty of Waitangi facilitator.
On March 3, Sir Douglas was appointed by Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson to facilitate a settlement of historical claims in the Tamaki-Makaurau (Auckland) region.
However, he told the minister early this week that he was not available for treaty work, a spokesman for the minister told NZPA.
Sir Douglas is a former justice minister in the National Party government elected in 1990.
On Tuesday, the Securities Commission said it had laid civil charges against the men over misleading investors, and today the commission said it laid criminal charges against the directors in the District Court at Wellington yesterday.
Sir Douglas, Michael Reeves, former Labour Cabinet minister William Jeffries and Lawrence Bryant have said they do not accept the allegations and will be defending all the proceedings.
Lombard went into receivership in April 2008 owing about $127 million to 4400 investors.
