Embattled Blue Chip co-founder Mark Bryers is facing criminal charges over his management of a luxury gulf resort.
Bryers, who moved to Australia after the collapse of his New Zealand business empire, is due to appear in Auckland District Court next month over seven charges laid by the
Companies Office.
They follow complaints from the liquidators of a Blue Chip-related company, Swordfish Lodge Management.
Bryers is the sole director of Swordfish, which managed the Gulf Harbour Lodge in Whangaparaoa on behalf of 29 investors, and owes $2.7 million.
Liquidator Bernie Montgomerie complained to the Companies Office that Bryers failed to front a creditors' meeting in March. Montgomerie also alleged that when Swordfish went into liquidation a month later, Bryers did not supply a statement about the company's affairs within five working days of being served notice.
An investigation by the Ministry of Economic Development's National Enforcement Unit found there were grounds to lay charges against Bryers, including failure to keep books and records. A second investigation by the unit into Bryers and other Blue Chip directors is also complete.
The inquiry is being reviewed by Crown prosecutors in Auckland. The Herald on Sunday understands the inquiry focuses on whether Blue Chip directors failed to file financial statements for their companies.
If the Crown decides the Financial Reporting Act has been breached in each of the past three years, more than 300 criminal charges could be laid.
Although living in Sydney, where he runs a property company similar to Blue Chip, Bryers could be served with court papers under a Crown Law agreement with Australian authorities. If he failed to appear in court, an arrest warrant could be issued, followed by extradition.
The 50-year-old, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving in April, spent part of this year on a luxury tour of Scottish golf courses, including the sport's spiritual home, St Andrews.
Since then he has been ordered to pay a Singapore-based property developer $15.4m or face the threat of bankruptcy.
The Serious Fraud Office and Commerce Commission are also investigating Blue Chip. Bryers did not return Herald on Sunday messages.
