Property developer pleads guilty to SFO charges

Glenn Cooper (pictured) showing the bruises on his face after an assault by Kurtis Haiu. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A 39-year-old Auckland property investor - who was attacked by former Blues rugby player Kurtis Haiu in 2011 - has pleaded guilty to dishonesty charges.

According to the Serious Fraud Office, Glenn William Cooper was facing five charges of dishonesty using a document and pleaded guilty to them in the Manukau District Court today.

The office alleged that Cooper purchased properties at mortgagee sale and then on-sold them to investors who under pressure to consolidate debt.

False sale & purchase agreements were used by Cooper to conceal his interest in the properties from the banks and investors.

Misleading loan application forms were also prepared Cooper and sent to the banks, the SFO said. The amount involved in the offending is approximately $800,000

"The investors were sold on a fantasy that purchasing these investment properties would successfully consolidate debt and solve their problems. Mr Cooper played on the affinity he had built with one family in particular. This has only added to their financial strife. Investors need to remain aware of their vulnerability in such situations," acting-SFO head Simon McArley said.

Cooper is due to be sentenced in March and is on bail.

Cooper was involved in the incident with Haiu in May 2011 after a property deal - not linked to the SFO charges - went sour.

Haiu was discharged without conviction at the Pukekohe District Court in August of that year after pleading guilty to assault.

The court heard how Haiu went to Cooper's house and punched the property developer twice in the face after the rugby player had lost $400,000 to $500,000 to Cooper.