An Auckland man, Wilfred Ronald Wrigley, has been convicted in the Henderson District Court for obstructing Commerce Commission investigators executing a search warrant.
Judge Coral Shaw said the Commission had fully complied with the law and there was no doubt whatsoever that Mr Wrigley deliberately obstructed Commission staff.
Taking into account Mr Wrigley's financial position and that it was a first offence, Judge Shaw made an order that Mr Wrigley appear for sentence if called upon in the next year.
Commission Chairman Dr Alan Bollard said the Commission seldom uses search warrants but when it does, it is a criminal offence to obstruct or delay the warrant.
"The prosecution is a result of Mr Wrigley's actions," Dr Bollard said. "He was asked to provide information about the Executive Millionaires Trust Club but he refused to. The Court granted a search warrant, but he refused to allow his house and office to be searched even after his lawyer advised him he must comply with the warrant."
Further investigation, including searches of other premises and documents provided by Mr Wrigley's lawyer, made it clear that being prevented from searching the house and office denied the Commission access to relevant information.
"The Commission views obstruction seriously. While we seek to minimise the inevitable disruption the execution of a search warrant causes, and to co-operate with the subjects of a search, it is important that evidence is preserved."
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