Two IT contractors jailed for $4m Spark corruption scheme

Tuesday 20 May 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Tue 20 May 2025, 4:58pm

In this story Serious Fraud Office, Spark

Australian citizens Sean Bryan and Mark Lester have been sentenced to three years in prison for their roles in a bribery and corruption case involving Spark New Zealand. The scheme involved more than $4 million in kickbacks and is described as the country's largest private sector corruption case involving a publicly listed company.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffTue 20 May 2025, 1:25pm

   Spark IT contractors jailed for part in ‘New Zealand’s largest private sector corruption case’ (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldTue 20 May 2025, 2:21pm

   Corporate corruption: Australians Mark Lester, Sean Bryan sentenced for $4m Spark NZ kickbacks scheme (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsTue 20 May 2025, 2:28pm

   IT contractors jailed in NZ's largest private sector corruption case (opens in new tab)

4. RNZTue 20 May 2025, 4:08pm

   IT contractors jailed over $4m in kickbacks (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesTue 20 May 2025, 4:58pm

   Aussie pair jailed over NZ's 'largest private sector corruption case' (opens in new tab)