The Crown Law Office has determined there is no need for an investigation into Community Trust South concerning the actions of trustees leading up to the resignation of its chief executive in June 2017.

Community Trust South's solicitor Rex Chapman, of Cruickshank Pryde, released a statement today outlining the actions that followed a request to the Minister of Finance seeking an investigation under section 58 of the Charitable Trusts Act 1975

The Minister was asked to investigate the Community Trust of Southland (now Community Trust South) concerning the actions of the trustees leading up to the resignation of John Prendergast in June 2017. In August 2018 the Minister of Finance referred the request for an investigation to the Attorney General, who in turn referred the request to Crown Law Office for consideration.

Mr Chapman's statement says he was advised by Crown Law on June 11 that it had determined that an investigation into the Trust under section 58 of the Act is not warranted.

"Crown Law concluded that 'the complaints do not disclose a misapplication of trust funds, nor are there grounds for suspecting the trustees failed to act responsibly in the discharge of their responsibilities under the Trust'.”

The statement concludes by saying the Trust will not be making any further comment in relation to the Crown Law Office determination.