Ex-MP's debt dispute splashed on website

Bob Clarkson has denied owing a debt of thousands of dollars to his nephew. Photo / Alan Gibson

Former Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson is embroiled in a stoush with his nephew over a massive debt that has been referred to gang-related website Dirty Debtors.

Mr Clarkson has been accused of owing his sister's son, accountant Ian Stevenson, nearly $315,000 for "pre-approved" accounting work in 2004, the Bay of Plenty Times reported.

The debt has made it onto a website reportedly linked to the Hells Angels gang, with Mr Clarkson being named as "most wanted".

Mr Clarkson has denied the debt existed and said the amount ballooned from $78,000 to $314,841.

The Dirty Debtors entry, posted by a firm called Property Services Tauranga Ltd, refers to the involvement of two Tauranga accountancy firms.

Mr Stevenson told the paper the debt was in relation to a wide range of work he did for Mr Clarkson's entities, the most significant amount of which was for Tauriko Farms Ltd. He originally invoiced Mr Clarkson for $153,000 of which about $22,000 was initially paid. Mr Stevenson said he had challenged Mr Clarkson to produce the paperwork which showed that the debt did not exist.

Mr Stevenson said his dealing had been with an accountancy firm which told him it represented Mr Clarkson.

He said a letter that was signed in front of him stated all outstanding accounts would be paid.

"I have received no explanation as to why I have not been paid ... I consider it an ethical issue."

Mr Clarkson today said: "He has his opinion, I have mine. Let's see where we are in a few weeks."

- NZPA