Heavy fines for ex-manager and firm in Commerce probe

An Auckland timber firm and its manager have been fined close to the maximum penalty for breaches of the Commerce Act.

Koppers Arch Wood Protection (NZ) and former general manager Roy Parish were both convicted and fined $25,000 and $8000 respectively in Manukau District Court.

The company pleaded guilty to furnishing false or misleading information, documents or evidence to the Commerce Commission, and Parish pleaded guilty to "refusing or failing to comply with a section 98 notice requiring the provision of information and documents".

Maximum Commerce Act fines are $30,000 for a firm and $10,000 for a person.

Commission chair Paula Rebstock said the convictions and the fines were significant milestones.

"Investigative powers are very important to the commission's role. Most companies respond well, but where companies and individuals do not, the commission will take strong enforcement action," she said.

Koppers Arch and Parish were found guilty of not providing all information and documents requested by the commission. Some senior officers in the company were found to have destroyed documents in their computer system.

At sentencing, Judge Barbara Morris said the facts of the case were disturbing and the charges were very serious.

She said that some of the highlighted conduct could have amounted to an attempt to pervert the course of justice under the Crimes Act.

- NZPA