I would have picked her to do her clothes shopping at an op shop.Golriz Ghahraman allegations: MP allegedly identified in second shoplifting incident
By Ben Leahy
Green MP Golriz Ghahraman stands aside from portfolios after being accused of shoplifting
Prominent Green Party MP and human rights lawyer Golriz Ghahraman has stood aside from her portfolios after she was accused of shoplifting at an Auckland store. Video / NZ Herald ...
A second allegation of shoplifting has emerged involving embattled Green Party list MP Golriz Ghahraman, according to ZB Plus.
That incident allegedly took place at the same exclusive Ponsonby boutique weeks before the incident which is alleged to have occurred on December 23 and which is now the centre of a police investigation.
Ghahraman, who is the Green Party’s seventh-highest ranked list MP and previously held the party’s justice portfolio, was revealed by ZB Plus on Wednesday to be facing an allegation of shoplifting thousands of dollars of high-end designer items from Scotties Boutique on Blake St in Ponsonby.
A Green Party spokesperson said on Wednesday that the party was aware of the allegations relating to the incident on December 23 and as a result, Ghahraman would be standing aside from all portfolio responsibilities “until the matter is resolved”.
“Green MPs are expected to maintain high standards of public behaviour,” the spokesperson said.
Now, ZB Plus understands a second instance of Ghahraman allegedly shoplifting from the boutique has been identified in the weeks prior to the original incident. ZB Plus contacted the Green Party and Ghahraman yesterday with details of the second incident but neither responded.
In addition, further details have come to light about the incident on December 23.
Sources have told ZB Plus that they believe the value of the unpaid items that Ghahraman removed from the boutique two days before Christmas was in the region of $15,000.
It is understood that Ghahraman was stopped by staff at Scotties when she attempted to leave the store without paying.
ZB Plus understands that Ghahraman refused to open her bag when requested by shop assistants and then is alleged to have left the store with her bag containing the unpaid items.
Some hours later, the clothing was understood to have been anonymously returned to the store.
Today Green co-leader Marama Davidson refused to comment about the shoplifting allegations when she was approached at her Auckland home.
There was no answer at co-leader James Shaw’s Wellington home.
The prominent MP and human rights lawyer has not been charged but police said they received a report of alleged shoplifting at the store on December 23.
“Initial inquiries are still being made into this report and police are not able to comment further at this stage,” a police spokesperson said.
Ghahraman is overseas, having left New Zealand in the days after the alleged incident on a trip the Green Party says was pre-planned.
A man at Ghahraman’s Auckland home on Thursday told the Herald she was travelling with friends.
A Green Party spokesman said Ghahraman is “overseas on a personal trip that was planned many months ago”.
A staff member at Scotties yesterday said they were unable to comment.
The store earlier declined to provide specific details but confirmed an incident was being handled by police.
Ghahraman, who was justice spokeswoman for the Greens up until Wednesday, has stood aside from her portfolios after being accused of shoplifting.
The Green Party has confirmed it is aware of the allegations that Ghahraman “will stand aside from all portfolio responsibilities until the matter is resolved”.
In a statement, it said it was in contact with Scotties Boutique to “better understand and address the situation”.
“Green MPs are expected to maintain high standards of public behaviour,” the statement said.
Ghahraman’s portfolios for the Greens included justice, foreign affairs, defence, ethnic communities and trade.
Ghahraman made New Zealand history as the first refugee to be sworn in as an MP, having arrived in Aotearoa as a child asylum seeker with her family from Iran. She was selected as a Green Party list candidate in January 2017.
In the 2023 election, she was ranked at number seven on the Green Party’s list.
Recently, she has been outspoken on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, considering it “ethnic cleansing” and called on world leaders to stand against Israel’s military actions she has described as “crimes against humanity”.
In 2017, Ghahraman became embroiled in controversy amid allegations she and her party misrepresented her work on war crimes tribunals. Commentators said she and leader James Shaw played down her defence role while inaccurately stating she worked as a prosecutor.
Early in 2020, Ghahraman opened up about her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. She told TV3′s The Project she had learned of her condition two years earlier when she began to lose sight in one eye.
She said she was on “hardcore medication” and had to visit a hospital every six months.
Golriz Ghahraman allegedly identified in second shoplifting incident
A source claims they believe Ghahraman allegedly had unpaid items worth almost $15,000.www.nzherald.co.nz
Politics NZ Politics
- Thread starter wizard of Tauranga
- Start date
John Nick
Contributor
Yeah lets hang her right now. Didn't really like her anyway
why?
More in line with her political supporters, poor and battling the ravages of capitalism. Still, I guess all women like to wear the best and most exclusive labels if they can afford it.
John Nick
Contributor
Do you know that or making up shit
I’d like to see future posts from you stating that the current government have been paid off by the tobacco industry to be supported by factual quotes then please.
Sure. OIA requests coming up.
Very well said.
Requests? Fark you make me laugh!
No, just thieves.
Do you think her MS could in any way have played a part? I’ve seen a very smart person suffering from MS do some strange things. It’s a horrific disease. No idea how bad her situation is.
Nice to see that mentioned
John Nick
Contributor
Imo let the judicial system run its course.
She hasn't even been charged yet and some people have her guilty.
We don't have any idea what the facts are.
Just be patient and if she is guilty sadly you guys will get your pound of flesh.
Your comments on here would make you ineligible for the jury
We have a very smart, lovely guy at work who suffers from it as well. Is doing all he can to try and prolong whatever he can. Strictly vegan diet, medication, regimented rest breaks etc etc
He has openly told us that he wants the company to let him go if he starts fucking up or doing strange stuff because he would clearly not be fit for the job anymore. Very pragmatic guy in an incredibly sad situation but handling it so forthrightly.
John Nick
Contributor
My sympathy to all people who suffer from MS.
Have a great mate who suffers from and had to retire from his quantity surveying business.
Debilitating disease
Oh....
I knew little or nothing about her.
I'm not an MS expert but yes is the short answer, could be 100% related.
The steroid therapy in MS can totally make you nuts ( seen it a lot, prendsone induced mania will wipe out your impulse control).
If a trained lawyer is in a well paid job those are two separate Huge red flags.
Intimate knowledge of the law, no need to steal, public office with massive shame attached to being caught.
Something is very wrong with this picture if she did shoplift.
- Thread starter
- #4,360
I knew someone with Parkinson’s that went down hill over many years. Unfortunately they refused to retire in a highly regarded profession and ended up creating a huge mess for everyone around them.
Sad case where they couldn’t accept what was happening to them.
Health is so important. Good on
Inruin example where they owned it. But for many it can be a major life change where decisions are clouded by powerful drugs.
