Super donor returns to Garden City

The American executive outed before Christmas for his generous sperm donations to lesbian couples has been back to the Garden City.

In the wake of the attendant controversy, Ceres Environmental executive, Bill Johnson reportedly quit Christchurch at the end of 2011.

But Mr Johnson returned to Christchurch from the United States a couple of weeks ago.

He was spied in his old stomping ground, Pomeroys pub, with mate Garry Moore, former mayor of Christchurch.

Mr Moore told NBR firmly that Mr Johnson’s personal affairs had nothing to do with his business acumen and were just a subject for ghouls.

“He was here after New Year’s and we got together. He’s excellent to work with. Why should his personal activities have anything to do with his professional work?” Mr Moore said.

“He’s gone back to the United States again to deal with an urgent business matter. He’s their Mr Fix it.”

Disaster recover company Ceres pledged to support Mr Johnson through the controversy, but has yet to confirm his employment status. The former politician has spent much of the past year representing his company in Christchurch, 

When asked by email about his plans, Mr Johnson said, “This is a personal matter and I am afraid I have to say that I don't care to comment on it at this time”.

A secretary at the Ceres headquarters in Christchurch expected Mr Johnson to return soon.

A conservative Christian who opposed gay marriage and stood for Alabama governor in 2009, Mr Johnson flew into Christchurch after the February 2010 earthquake with a view to investing in recovery projects including making money out of waste.

His top level contacts last year included a meeting with National government Minister Nick Smith.

Mr Johnson advertised his services on the NZ Sperm Donors web site last August 2011.

Threads on the web site showed he was in contact with lesbian couples before his subscription to the web site was cancelled. Three women are understood to have been impregnated and others were in line. His wife was unaware of his downunder activities and he returned home to explain them to her.

Mr Johnson was a former cabinet member and director for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (the equivalent of the New Zealand Commerce Commission). He was also involved in coordinating Alabama's long-term recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

“For the creative leveraging of limited funds with community based organizations, Bill was recognised by Habitat for Humanity as Public Official of the Year" in 2008,” according to public relations information.