Real estate agent committed 'commercial sabotage'

File photo / NZ Herald

A resigning real estate agent who changed client contact details in a company database committed "commercial sabotage", the agents' disciplinary body says.

Allan Ross Vessey faced a charge of misconduct before the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal after altering contact information in the database.

Mr Vessey worked for Steinmetz Berryman Real Estate Limited (SBRE Ltd), trading as Ray White, in Waikanae from mid-2010.

The following year he became a director and shareholder of the company, but following a relationship break-down with the other directors in 2012 he resigned his directorship and sold back his shares.

In November 2012, just after resigning from his sales position, he went into the company database and altered details including addresses, phone numbers and names of clients.

Mr Vessey admitted making most of the changes identified, and said he had acted out of frustration and disappointment.

"I was simply upset and to some extent bitter at a commercial arrangement that had soured," he said.

He said the changes did not affect any current listings with the company.

The tribunal said the conduct was a marked or serious departure from the standards of an agent of good standing, and amounted to misconduct.

"Simply put, we accept the general submissions of ... the prosecution and indeed we add that the conduct of the defendant amounts to a type of commercial sabotage.

"Obviously, it is very wrong and disturbing for a salesperson to tamper with the business records of his or her employer."

The tribunal will take submissions before determining a penalty, but indicated a fine of $3000, plus compensation of $2000 and costs would be considered fair.