Charges dismissed
Ajudgein the District Court at Auckland has thrown out all the securities charges levelled against two of New Zealand’s longest serving planners, Roger Moses and Gary Stevens.
The two men faced 70 charges between them when their trial began a fortnight ago.
Under the charges it was alleged that the two men, as directors of Reeves Moses Hudig Mortgage Brokers Ltd and Reeves Moses Hudig Nominee Co Ltd, distributed, or allowed to be distributed, misleading and incorrect offer and allotment documents to the public.
The charges related to development loans on four projects in 1999. The official assignee charged Moses and Stevens, as directors of Reeves Moses Hudig Mortgage Brokers Ltd, after there was a substantial shortfall, or risk of shortfall, on the loans.
Interest for investors, supposedly prepaid for the full term of the loans, was in most cases not retained at all. Investors were also told draw-downs would only be allowed once a valuer’s completion certificate was signed.
Reeves Moses’ mortgage manager at the time, Peter Van Nieuwkoop, is to face trial on similar charges. He is alleged to have altered documents and made changes, such as to the interest prepayments, without authorisation.
Reeves Moses is now owned by Harts Australia.
Recommended for you
ASIC has released the results of its first adviser exam to be held in 2025, with 241 candidates attempting the test.
Quarterly Wealth Data analysis has uncovered positive improvements in financial adviser numbers compared with losses in the prior corresponding period.
Holding portfolios that are too complex or personalised can be a detractor for acquirers of financial advice firms as they require too much effort to maintain post-acquisition.
As the financial advice profession continues to wait on further DBFO legislation, industry commentators have encouraged advisers to act now in driving practice efficiency.
