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Home / Hawkes Bay Today

Raided firm still under investigation

By Patrick O'Sullivan
Hawkes Bay Today·
22 Mar, 2015 05:00 AM2 mins to read

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DISMAY: Nino (left) and Joe D'Esposito deny their company has done anything wrong. PHOTO/FILE

DISMAY: Nino (left) and Joe D'Esposito deny their company has done anything wrong. PHOTO/FILE

Six months after an unprecedented government raid on Hawke's Bay Seafoods, investigations by several government agencies continue.

Alleged inconsistencies in the Napier company's catch numbers resulted in a Ministry of Primary Industries-led (MPI) raid of 88 officials from Customs, Immigration and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment in September.

The Labour Inspectorate and Immigration New Zealand have confirmed they are still investigating the Pandora-based company, as is MPI.

Gemco Construction said Hawke's Bay Seafoods new $3million building was completed and paid for.

"Everything went well and it was all paid up - they are really good people to work with," managing director Darren Diack said.

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The building includes coolstores and upstairs offices with views to the inner harbour, towards the Iron Pot and East Pier.

The family fishing firm is a quota owner, vessel operator, processor, wholesaler, exporter and retailer.

It exports to China, Southeast Asia, North and South America and its online business employs several of its 150 staff.

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It leases Ngati Kahungunu's fishing quota, part of an historic agreement for the company hiring iwi laid off by Moana Pacific Fisheries.

Director Nino D'Esposito has past fishery convictions, including making false statements in quota reports and the illegal possession of fish with brother and director Joe.

In 1994, the Wellington District Court imposed a fine of $989,395 on them and related companies, with $10million worth of boats and vehicles forfeited.

Despite the lack of charges in the current investigation, the police Asset Recovery Unit froze eight properties, five vehicles and cash through the High Court last year, putting the owners on notice the properties may be taken under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

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The raid came while Nino D'Esposito was on a trip to China and the Chatham Islands. On his return, he said he was "dismayed" by MPI allegations and was co-operating with the investigation.

"We live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty," he said.

"We are committed to fishing and fish farming sustainably. We look forward to having our day in court if charges are laid."

He did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

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