The Ministry of Justice is being accused of turning a blind eye to some internal issues after a staffer facing money laundering charges stayed on its payroll for five years. 

Former Lotto host Russell Harrison was arrested days after starting at the ministry in 2021, admitting guilt in June. 

Documents obtained by the Taxpayers Union reveal four other ministry employees are on leave while facing charges or misconduct investigations. 

Union executive director Jordan Williams told Ryan Bridge the HR department would surely know. 

He believes there's a culture within the public service, where they don't worry as taxpayers are footing the bill. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Ministry of Justice is being accused of turning a blind eye to some internal issues after a staffer facing money laundering charges stayed on its payroll for five years.&nbsp;
Former Lotto host Russell Harrison was arrested days after starting at the ministry in 2021, admitting guilt in June.&nbsp;
Documents obtained by the Taxpayers Union reveal four other ministry employees are on leave while facing charges or misconduct investigations.&nbsp;
Union executive director Jordan Williams told Ryan Bridge the HR department would surely know.&nbsp;
He believes there's a culture within the public service, where they don't worry as taxpayers are footing the bill.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Jordan Williams: Taxpayers Union Executive Director on the investigation into the Ministry of Justice for Russell Harrison pay saga

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/592ed4c9-1a12-4f19-a980-b49e00093f94/transcript