Justice system needs to wake up over Bryers!

The guilty pleas by Mark Bryers, are first signs of reality that the BlueChip empire is over for Mark Bryers. His bankruptcy and the guilty pleas are a positive move forward for victims. It sends a clear message to those in the industry who supported the BlueChip scam. Banks, finance companies, accountants and lawyers will all be feeling the shame of the sham.

The challenge now is for the Justice system of New Zealand to deliver justice to its victims.

Coordinator of EUFA Suzanne Edmonds said from Tauranga this morning “Statements in the media that Bryers probably will not face a jail term shows how badly New Zealand Justice is being delivered. If the sentence for Bryers has already been predetermined as is being reported in the media, then the Minister of Justice has a big problem on his hands… New Zealanders will be given a green light to commit white-collar crime as the current deterrent is feeble….A maximum fine of $100k for a bankrupt is ludicrous”.

Several thousand victims and associated parties have had their lives ruined with the impact of the crimes causing, serious ill health and premature death.

Members of EUFA and society in general cannot relate to the justice system giving privileged bail conditions when guilty pleas of over 30 charges have been made.

Mrs Edmonds adds “White collar crime accountability is a joke in this country and this case is one that in light of the impact on victims, is screaming out for the justice system to deliver a message to white collar criminals …. what is wrong with our judges - are they balmy?”

With over two years past, the length of time for the various investigations, including the Serious Fraud Office investigation, demonstrates that New Zealand rates white collar crime as low priority and that victims are insignificant.

After the 1987 crash, New Zealanders were promised protection by governments from Wild West practices but any changes in legislation in the 1990’s has barely been enforced, allowing white-collar crime to be rampant over the past two decades, leaving a trail of destruction.