Top sportsman seeks continued anonymity
A high-profile sportsman who allegedly helped finance an international drug syndicate, will take his bid to keep his name secret to New Zealand’s highest court.
The sports star was declined name suppression in the High Court and has lost an appeal at the Court of Appeal. But yesterday, his lawyer, Michael Heron, filed papers in the Supreme Court asking for the court to hear the case. Heron has 20 working days to file submissions with the Crown.
Stuff is fighting to name the sportsman on the grounds there is a strong public interest in the police’s decision not to charge him in relation to his alleged links to the drug ring.
After submissions are filed, the Supreme Court will decide whether to take the case, or it could set down a date for oral argument. The move means the sportsman will keep name suppression at least until the Supreme Court decides whether to take the case.
The sportsman was named during evidence at a recent methamphetamine trial in the High Court at Auckland. However, the police chose not to charge him and he took no part in the trial.
The sportsman applied for name suppression in the High Court, which was declined. The Court of Appeal also dismissed his appeal of that decision.
The sportsman’s name was mentioned during the High Court trial of Tevita Sitanilei Kulu, Tevita Matangi Fangupo and Toni Rajendra Finau.
But the sportsman was never charged by police and the Crown’s evidence against him has never been tested in court.
Despite that, the Crown alleged at trial that the sportsman bought methamphetamine, talked about finding a supplier, and helped the group exchange New Zealand currency for United States currency to buy drugs.
He is also said to have taken cash to the US for the syndicate where it was used to buy drugs.