Former Lotto presenter avoids jail for money laundering conviction

Friday 4 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Fri 4 Sep, 4:22pm

In this story FBI, Ministry of Justice

Russell Harrison has been sentenced to home detention after admitting to laundering more than $400,000 for a Comancheros-led drug syndicate. The former presenter was arrested in 2021 following a global FBI sting involving the delivery of gold bullion to Turkey. He appeared in the Auckland High Court for sentencing.

How they headlined it

4:15pm

1. NZ HeraldFri 4 Sep, 4:15pm

   Former Lotto presenter Russell Harrison avoids jail for involvement in international meth-money- laundering plot (opens in new tab)

2. StuffFri 4 Sep, 4:22pm

   ‘Significant fall from grace’: Ex-Lotto presenter avoids jail for role in global FBI sting (opens in new tab)