Two people have pleaded not guilty to claims of bribery and corruption involved in procuring medical equipment at Auckland district health board.

The Serious Fraud Office filed charges against a former Auckland DHB employee and a director of a medical equipment supplier to the health authority accusing them of corruption. The pair appeared in the Auckland district court, where they both pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were granted interim name suppression.

Both face corruption and bribery charges under Crimes Act, and the DHB staffer also faces Secret Commission Act charges of accepting a gift.

The SFO claims the DHB employee “abused their position for their own financial gain” while procuring medical equipment and accepted an “undisclosed gift from an agent”.

The law enforcement agency also said the employee disclosed confidential information to a foreign IT firm.

The defendants’ next appearance is scheduled on June 22.