Charges laid against Timaru businessman Allan Hubbard by the Serious Fraud Office have been formally dropped.
In an in-chambers decision at the Timaru District Court, it was ordered that the charges be permanently stayed as the defendant is now deceased.
Mr Hubbard, 83, died after a car crash last Friday, just weeks before he was due in court to face 50 charges.
His wife Jean Hubbard, who was driving the car, was injured.
The SFO confirmed earlier this week that criminal proceedings could not continue and that it had asked the court to take steps to end the prosecution.