Internal Affairs has confirmed it did not know Ratana had been made bankrupt three times. It also did not ask for receipts before accepting the company’s spending report.
It has said Herald queries were “very serious” and it appealed to anyone who had information to make contact.
Police have now been alerted too, after a Waikato woman – who the Herald has agreed not to name – complained she signed a document for Ratana not realising it would make her a fellow director in the company.
Ratana denies all wrongdoing. He told the Herald the money was spent legitimately, supporting survivors and running community events.
“I never pocketed $57,000,” he said. “Everything was spent on the events.”