Golriz Ghahraman has admitted four charges of shoplifting.
The former Green Party MP was charged with four counts of shoplifting related to three incidents in Auckland and one in Wellington.
Two incidents relate to Ponsonby retailer Scotties Boutique on December 21 and 23, 2023.
One relates to Wellington retailer Cre8iveworkx after an incident on October 22, 2023, while the fourth, laid late last month, took place at Standard Issue in Auckland’s Newmarket on December 22.
The total of the items taken was revised down to $8917 in court today.
Ghahraman entered the guilty pleas at the Auckland District Court today.
The maximum penalty for the offences is seven years imprisonment.
Crown prosecutor Alysha McClintock said police didn’t oppose media applications to film Ghahraman in court.
Her lawyer Annabel Cresswell opposed the applications, arguing her client had received "horrific" abuse since the shoplifting claims emerged and there were mental health issues to consider.
Judge Maria Pecotic allowed filming and images to be published.
After resigning from politics in mid-January, Ghahraman said her mental health had been affected by the stresses of her job.
The former Green Party MP admitted four charges of shoplifting relating to stores in Auckland and Wellington. (Source: 1News)
"This has led me to act in ways that are completely out of character. I am not trying to excuse my actions, but I do want to explain them.
"People should, rightly, expect the highest standards of behaviour from their elected representatives. I fell short. I'm sorry.
"It's not a behaviour I can explain because it's not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I'm not well."
Ghahraman was remanded at large and will be sentenced on June 24.
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