Former NZ Green MP Pleads Guilty to 4 Shoplifting Charges

Golriz Ghahraman has admitted she stole from stores in Auckland and Wellington. She is likely to seek a discharge without conviction, a legal expert predicts.

Television personality and comedian Guy Williams (L) and Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman (C) join protestors outside the Pullman Hotel as Nigel Farage speaks on September 4, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. Phil Walter/Getty Images

A former NZ Green Party MP has admitted to stealing clothing from three boutiques on four occasions late last year. Her appearance in court, initially scheduled for March 20, was brought forward to March 13. The case experienced delays due to the addition of third and fourth charges.

Golriz Ghahraman was accused of stealing a black Zambesi shirt valued at $695 ($US457) from Wellington’s Cre8iveworx on Oct. 22 last year, theft of $2,060 worth of goods from Scotties Boutique in Auckland on Dec. 21 and another $7,223 worth of goods from the same store two days later (though this was later revised down to $5,773), and theft of a navy cardigan worth $389 from Standard Issue in Auckland on Dec. 22.

The items taken from Scotties Boutique included a $1,900 black Acne Studios single-breasted coat, a $160 Comme des Garcons wallet and a charcoal grey Bao Bao Issey Miyake Lucent bag worth $650.

She also took a $333 Two Squares simple black slip dress, a black Row calanthe dress, valued at $4,500, and a $290 black Lemaire crepe tank top.

Hid Stolen Items in Her Bag

Court documents reveal that Ms. Ghahraman removed a number of items of clothing from the display rack in Cre8iveworx and took them into the changing rooms, including the black Zambesi shirt.

When she was out of view, the former MP placed the shirt inside her clothing or bag. She left the changing room and bought a pair of pants at the counter, then left the store without paying for the shirt.

At Scotties, however, she simply browsed the store and put items into her bag, then left without paying for anything.

On her second visit the following day when she was approached by an employee in the car park, she declined to have her bag checked.

Ms. Ghahraman refused, briefly going back inside to explain, pointing to a dress hung inside a coat as the reason for the misunderstanding.

Later that day, an associate visited Scotties, carrying Ms. Ghahraman’s tote bag. She spoke to the store worker and returned the two dresses and the bag.

“The Lemaire Crepe tank top was not returned,” the documents said.

Lawyer Asks for Media Ban

Ms. Ghahraman’s lawyer, Annabel Cresswell, argued that the media should be prevented from covering the plea hearing on mental health grounds, claiming that her client had been the victim of abuse since the charges were reported, but Judge Maria Pecotic declined the application.

Ms. Ghahraman showed little emotion in Auckland District Court and refused to answer reporters’ questions. A man accompanying her shone a flashlight into media cameras, presumably in an attempt to stop them filming and photographing her.

After resigning from politics in mid-January, Ms. Ghahraman said her mental health had been affected by the stresses of her job.

“It’s not a behaviour I can explain because it’s not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I’m not well,” she said in a statement.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that the judge and Ms. Ghahraman had previously worked on cases together as lawyers. However, a spokesperson for the Chief District Court Judge’s office said no perceived conflict of interest was raised, and that yesterday’s appearance was managed appropriately, without deviation from standard procedures or any special treatment.

Criminal barrister and former Auckland District Law Society president Marie Dyhrberg KC said the judge would have been “very much alert” to the “reality of not having bias” but also the “perception ... which is really important.” A perceived conflict of interest can be raised by lawyers or the judge.

For each charge of shoplifting more than $1,000 worth of goods, she faces a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

The penalties for the third charge of shoplifting between $500 to $1000 worth of goods, she faces a maximum penalty of a year in prison.

For the fourth charge of shoplifting to a value under $500, she faces a maximum penalty of three months imprisonment.

May Seek a Discharge Without Conviction

However, retired law professor Bill Hodge said a conviction for theft could jeopardise Ms. Ghahraman’s ability to practise law in New Zealand.

“I don’t wish to speak for them [the Law Society], but her ability to appear in court in New Zealand after such a conviction, will, I think be prejudiced,” Mr. Hodge said.

He predicted her defence lawyers would seek a discharge without conviction when she reappears on June 24, arguing that she had “already been punished and that a conviction would be disproportionate to the level of offending.”

“I think that the sentence she'll be seeking will be a discharge without conviction and that is deemed to be an acquittal,” he said.

“So she'll walk away with a clean sheet. That would be the best possible outcome for Golriz and her counsel.”