Golriz Ghahraman, a former MP, pled guilty to theft charges, a scandal that destroyed her political career.

Ghahraman, the first refugee elected to New Zealand's parliament, resigned from her political position on January 16, citing a need to manage her mental health.

PHOTO | COURTESY Former New Zealand lawmaker Golriz Ghahraman

Soon after, authorities charged the Green Party's emerging star with stealing at boutique clothing stores.

According to an official, the 43-year-old former justice spokesman for her party pleaded guilty to four counts of shoplifting on Wednesday in Auckland District Court.

Ghahraman, a former human rights lawyer, stated at the time of her resignation that work-related stress caused her to "act in ways that are completely out of character."

PHOTO | COURTESY Golriz Ghahraman 

"I am not trying to excuse my actions, but I do want to explain them. I have let down a lot of people," she said at the time.

Ghahraman was born in Iran and came to New Zealand as a kid with her family after being granted political asylum.

She studied law and worked as a United Nations human rights lawyer in international criminal courts before being elected to parliament in 2017.

PHOTO | COURTESY Golriz Ghahraman

Before the claims, Ghahraman had been chastised for her prominent role in pro-Palestine protests.

Former Green Party co-leader James Shaw has stated that Ghahraman has faced "continuous threats" since the day she entered parliament and that pressure had increased before her crimes.