The Serious Fraud Office has cleared Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel following a lengthy investigation into her election expenses.

In a just release statement made to complainant former Mayoral candidate John Minto, the Office said the SFO had completed its investigation into donations made to Lianne Dalziel during Christchurch City Council elections. 

“We did not find any evidence of criminal conduct and have therefore closed the investigation.  We will be making a media statement regarding the closure of the investigation today.”

In February, The Serious Fraud Office confirmed it was looking into the election expenses of Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel.

It received a referral from New Zealand Police in relation to Lianne Dalziel’s election expenses.

The Christchurch City Council’s electoral officer was asked to investigate why Dalziel has only revealed the identities of six people who each donated more than $1500 to her campaign.

They donated through an auction her late husband, Rob Davidson, ran.

Dalziel only declared the amount that came from him and only declared the other contributions after pressure from mayoral candidate John Minto.

Dalziel has blamed her husband for the lack of transparency, after she followed his advice that he did not believe the other donations had to be declared.

In a statement, Lianne Dalziel said “I welcome the announcement by the SFO that it has closed its investigations into my electoral returns with its finding of no evidence of any criminal conduct.”

 “I was always confident in my case however they are required to investigate any complaint they receive thoroughly and they have done so. I am grateful they were able to clear the air before what will be a difficult Christmas for me.”

 “I agree with the SFO that further guidance is required relating to donations made at fundraising auctions and how they are publicly disclosed, and I would support a law change to provide for that.”