Businessman faces jail on return to NZ

An Auckland-based American businessman will go to jail when he shows up in New Zealand after failing to follow a court order and remove material from his website.

Vince Siemer was given until today to remove material relating to Auckland accountant Michael Stiassny from the website by today or face a six-month jail term.

Today the High Court in Auckland was told the material was still on the site.

Justice Lester Chisholm said under those circumstances the warrant for Siemer's arrest would be activated and he would "be committed to prison for a period of six months".

It is understood Siemer is out of New Zealand and today's ruling means he will be taken to prison when he returns.

The issue arose after Siemer published material about Auckland accountants Ferrier Hodgson and Mr Stiassny, principal of the firm.

The High Court ordered that the material be removed but Siemer argued he had committed no crime.

Siemer has appealed an earlier High Court ruling that the material be removed and that he serve a prison sentence if it was not.

He has also applied for a stay on the prison term.

- NZPA