19 May 2010

Former chief nurse cleared of fraud

3:58 pm on 19 May 2010

A review has found that the Ministry of Health's former chief nurse used public money unwisely but that there was no evidence of fraud.

Mark Jones resigned at the end of last year after questions were raised about his personal expenditure. He chartered a yacht in the Bay of Islands for $1250 after a conference in December 2008.

The ministry says that that was unauthorised. The money has been repaid.

Dr Jones has also reimbursed about $3000 out of $21,000 spent on four overseas trips.

The ministry says that he did not meet the expectations incumbent on a senior offical with regard to his expenditure, and that such behaviour can undermine public trust in officials.