R v Goel

In the High Court of New Zealand, Osborne J sentenced Goel and Singh for their respective convictions of corruption and bribery, involving the Westland District Council. Goel was found guilty of 14 charges of corruption and bribery, four charges of corrupt use of official information, and two charges of obtaining by deception. Singh was found guilty of the same charges as Goel, except for the corrupt use of official information and obtaining by deception charges, and was additionally convicted of nine charges of obstructing a Serious Fraud Office investigation. Goel and Singh were sentenced to three years and eight months’ imprisonment and three years and seven months’ imprisonment, respectively. The court considered the aggravating factors of the offending, including the significant harm caused to the Council and the community, the serious breach of trust, and the sophisticated arrangements to conceal the bribery. The court also took into account the personal mitigating factors for both defendants, such as their previous good character and the impact of imprisonment on their families.