The bill is on you
Fancy a dish of gin-cured salmon chased by a glass of shiraz? Or perhaps scallops, some arancini and a bottle of upmarket lager?
When taxpayers were footing the bill, Nigel Murray thought he could have the lot.
The expense records of the disgraced Waikato health boss were posted online on Friday and give an insight into the former chief executive’s tastes in food and accommodation.
Murray was appointed by the Waikato DHB in July 2014 but resigned on October 5 this year, part way through an investigation into allegations he misspent health dollars during his numerous trips, both abroad and within New Zealand.
During his three-year tenure, Murray chalked up $218,166 in expenses – including $71,811 of unauthorised spending.
Murray’s resignation was accepted by the DHB on the basis he pays back funds owed. To date, he has stumped up $30,000.
As chief executive, Murray took 16 overseas trips – to Australia, Canada and the US.
During one trip to Palo Alto in September 2016, Murray stayed two nights at Nobu Hotel Epiphany, in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley.
Murray said the purpose of his trip was to visit US-based health company HealthTap.
Receipts show Murray’s bill for the two-night stay came to US$1722.32. His tab included numerous snacks, including smokey almonds, M&M peanuts, cashews, a chocolate chip cookie, a Classic Coke and a $20 bottle of water.
But Murray’s taste in food wasn’t always limited to the mundane.
During a meal at Hamilton’s Gothenburg Restaurant on December 12, 2016, Murray racked up a $293 bill. The tab, picked up by taxpayers, listed gin-cured salmon, scallops, a pork belly dish, sliders, tacos, beer and wine, including a $30 glass of pinot from Craggy Range.
A handwritten note on the receipt read: ‘‘DHB entertainment. Alcohol OK.’’
Murray also booked two nights at Auckland’s prestigious Langham Hotel in January this year. The $530 bill – again charged to taxpayers – included a
$42 breakfast. Murray stayed at the Langham Hotel a further three nights in February, although the cost is not listed. He returned to the Langham in
March ($288.50),
April ($677), May
($1573), June ($1239), and July ($385).
During the past financial year, Murray received a total cash gross salary of $539,391.
During his threeyear tenure, Murray chalked up $218,166 in expenses – including $71,811 of unauthorised spending.
Records show that during the
2016/17 financial year, Murray spent $12,646 on international travel and $35,909 on domestic trips. During that period, Murray took five domestic flights without explanation. The flights cost taxpayers $5004.
DHB records also show Murray spent $50,000 on relocation costs when moving from Canada to Hamilton in 2014 –
$25,000 more than permitted.
Waikato DHB chairman Bob Simcock has defended the health board’s handling of its investigation into Murray, despite the Health Ministry’s announcement of a fresh probe.
Health Minister David Clark last week instructed State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes to investigate the circumstances surrounding allegations of wrongful expenditure by Murray.
Clark said such allegations
risk damaging confidence in the public sector.
Murray’s financial records were filed late for each year he was employed by the DHB.
Simcock said he first learnt of concerns about Murray’s
spending on June 7 this year. It took him a further month and 12 days to alert the full board.
In a four-page statement, posted online by Waikato DHB executive Maureen Chrystall, she said the board’s investigation had
not uncovered any criminal conduct by Murray.
‘‘However, if evidence emerges that there are issues that should be referred to the police, or which requires some other action, the board will act accordingly,’’ Chrystall said.
In September, Waikato DHB signed off on its 2017/18 budget with a forecasted deficit of $481,000.
The DHB’s original draft budget showed a $39.4m deficit.