Former MP Golriz Ghahraman pleaded guilty to four shoplifting charges in the Auckland District Court, involving thefts from three stores. According to court documents provided to The New Zealand Herald, on October 22 last year, Ghahraman entered the Cre8tiveworx store in Wellington and stole a $695 Zambesi shirt. She concealed it in her bag while trying on other items and later purchased a pair of pants.
Two months later, on December 21, Ghahraman visited Scotties Boutique in Ponsonby with two associates. She removed a $1900 black Acne Studios coat, a pair of pants, and a $160 Comme des Garcons wallet. She concealed the coat in her bag and returned the pants to the display.
The next day, Ghahraman entered Standard Issue in Newmarket, chatting with the manager before stealing a $389 navy blue cardigan, which she concealed in her bag and left the store.
On another occasion, she revisited Scotties Boutique with a large tote bag and a red satchel. Inside the store, she placed a $650 charcoal grey Bao Bao Issey Miyake bag into her satchel and stole several clothing items worth thousands of dollars.
While most items from Scotties Boutique have been recovered, $2350 is still owed. Reparation is sought for all stolen items, but Cre8tiveworx and Standard Issue have yet to recover the value of stolen goods.
Ghahraman, who resigned from Parliament in January, attributed her actions to "extreme stress" and previously unrecognised trauma. She apologized for her behavior and stated she was seeking help from mental health professionals.
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