Bridgecorp directors plead not guilty to fraud charges
Bridgecorp directors Rod Petricevic and Rob Roest have pleaded not guilty to a number of new charges relating to allegations the company lied to investors in a prospectus.
Today in the High Court at Auckland they pleaded not guilty to a total of 18 charges under the Crimes Act and the Companies Act.
The Crown alleges Bridgecorp lied about the state of its finances in a December 2006 prospectus and that it falsely claimed it had never defaulted on repayments of interest or principal to its investors.
The charges are separate to the fraud charges laid by the Serious Fraud Office against Messrs Petricevic and Roest last month and the 50 charges under the Securities Act laid against all five Bridgecorp directors (10 each).
The other directors are Bruce Davidson, Gary Urwin and Peter Steigrad.
Justice Rhys Harrison scheduled a 12-week High Court trial starting on July 4 next year.
He said the courtroom would need to be large to accommodate the large number of lawyers (three prosecution lawyers and up to 10 defence lawyers).
Justice Harrison also noted that “a number of judges” would be disqualified from sitting on the case.
The Crown's fraud charges carry a maximum of 10 years jail on each charge.
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Comments and questions9
Where are these guys staying so i can throw eggs at them?
In answer to Anonymous's comment - same place as Strategic and hanover directors and advisors will be shortly
Probaly in langham or anywhere thnat charges $5000k per night or more. Doubt they will end up in prison
Good on ya Rod Petricevic. You are a true hero and I hope no criminal charges get confirmed.
Agree. We need more people like you in NZ Rod. True businessman who now how to make this place a more businesslike man eat man world. Should be knighted SIR ROD PERRORVIC
Can't anyone come up with a better pseudonym than "Anonymous"? Come on!
Has nobody caught up with the relationship beween HIM , Hawkins, Davidson, Darvell, Heatley and several others like our toilet paper baron and othersuperyacht individualst involved in a "wine box" inquiry
Hey Rod Petricevic - come on down to Moretons and we'll give you some public feedback - as kiwi's we should boycott any company these guys turn up to work in.... there are robbers dogs that are more honest than this prick!
Three of the P dealers at the Casino got 15 years jail,one got 14 years,and one got 11 years.
That is the type of sentences Finance Company Officers who are found guilty of criminal charges should face.
White collar crime does pay.
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