KEY POINTS:
Blue Chip co-founder Bob Bangerter has won a small reprieve in his High Court battle with Sir Robert Jones.
Sir Robert is chasing Bangerter for a $395,000 debt he claims that Blue Chip owes for space leased in central Auckland office highrise Qantas House.
In the High Court
at Auckland on Friday, Sir Robert's lawyer sought a summary judgment for the alleged debt.
But Bangerter, surrounded by friends and supporters, said he wanted more time to prove his innocence, saying he would "bring the truth in front of the court".
Damian Chesterman, for Robt. Jones Holdings, told the court that summary judgment should go ahead because Bangerter was served legal papers into the claim in June.
Representing himself, Bangerter told Associate Judge Hannah Sargisson he had left Qantas House five years ago and was not responsible for the unpaid debt.
He told the court he was another victim of his former Blue Chip business partner Mark Bryers.
Blue Chip, co-founded by Bryers, left thousands of distressed investors, many of them retirees, more than $80 million out of pocket after its collapse in February.
"As most people in this room know Mr Bryers has left a lot of people in New Zealand in a difficult situation," Bangerter told the court. "I am one of those people."
Bangerter said he and partner Maree Aitkenhead were working with authorities to "get the truth out".
He then launched into an attack on Sir Robert, saying he did not owe him money "morally or ethically".
"I believe there may be a hidden agenda here. He has maligned me publicly and has tarred me with the same brush as Mark Bryers."
Judge Sargisson adjourned the hearing until next month, but said if any further documents filed by Bangerter did not prove his case she would make a summary order at the next hearing.
Outside court Bangerter continued to defend himself. "Sir Robert has called me a menace to society on the radio and in writing. I have only practised what he preaches. I've been to his seminars, read his books, admired him all the time I've been in New Zealand."
But Sir Robert came back fighting, telling the Herald on Sunday that Bangerter had guaranteed the lease and any issues with Bryers was between the two of them. "Now he's saying 'it's not my fault'."
Sir Robert said he was pursuing the court case to try to protect investors from the former bankrupt.
"When people go bankrupt what they actually leave is a legacy of distraught people.
"The fact is there are some buggers that inadvertently are a menace to society."
The case resumes next month.