Former ACT Party leader John Banks's attempt to recoup his legal costs for getting a court conviction quashed has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
John Banks Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
The former police minister and Auckland mayor was convicted for failing to declare two $25,000 donations from the internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom during his failed mayoralty campaign in 2010.
Mr Dotcom told the court the donations were discussed at a lunch at his mansion.
Mr Banks appealed against the conviction after his wife found evidence proving two American businessmen had also attended the lunch and denied the discussions took place.
Last year, the Court of Appeal acquitted Mr Banks and cancelled its order for a retrial.
He then sought $190,000 in costs in relation to his quashed conviction.
Justice Wylie in the High Court ruled against costs being awarded, a decision the Court of Appeal upheld today.
The court also declined Mr Dotcom's application seeking leave to intervene in the appeal.