Amandeep Sharma appeared in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has filed charges against a couple accused of defrauding Oranga Tamariki of $2 million while working there.
Former Canterbury property manager Neha Sharma and her husband Amandeep face charges of obtaining by deception and money laundering.
Neha Sharma also faces charges of falsifying references.
The SFO alleges the pair paid just over $2m to Sharma's firm Divine Construction between 2021 and 2022.
Another $800,000 transferred to bank accounts in India was also the subject of money laundering charges.
Amandeep Sharma appeared in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday. Neha Sharma is currently in India.