Yesterday Commerce Minister Simon Power said he would amend the Companies Act to tighten online registration…

See Full story: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/4114329/Shell-firms-clients-high-criminal-risk

Neither Mr Power nor the task force cites operators by name, instead referring to them as “trust and company service providers” (TCSPs), who operate the registered company without disclosing who really owns and benefits from them.

The study says the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing “associated with company and trust formation is high”. It points to media reports of New Zealand companies implicated in attempts to bribe foreign officials or transport munitions.

Mr Power said the main change would be that companies would have to have either one New Zealand-resident director or a local agent. The Registrar of Companies would have expanded powers to deal with issues concerning the bona fides of directors and shareholders of companies. There would also be greater powers to take action where doubt existed about the accuracy of information about a company.

John Mills, Society President and a Company Director himself, says: “The Society is fully in favour of the proposed changes to the Companies Act signalled by the Minister of Commerce, Hon. Simon Power. Its concerns raised with the Companies Office over non-compliance involving four other companies in liquidation involving one other director, led to that director receiving a four-year banning order imposed by the NEU. Non-compliance by directors on basic matters such as their true and accurate residential addresses, their correct registered office addresses etc, are often symptomatic of offending and and/or failures in other areas” Mills said.  “Community standards must be upheld for the public good”, Mills added.
-

The Government is to tighten requirements around company directors and company registration, Commerce Minister Simon Power announced today. The main change will require all New Zealand companies to have either one New Zealand-resident director or a local agent. Mr Power says the measures are designed to shore up New Zealand’s company registration process against criminal activity from overseas.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/government/news/article.cfm?c_id=49&objectid=10672170

9 September 2010   Media Statement Minister of Commerce Hon. Simon Power

The Government is to tighten requirements around company directors and company registration, Commerce Minister Simon Power announced today. The main change will require all New Zealand companies to have either one New Zealand-resident director or a local agent. Mr Power says the measures are designed to shore up New Zealand’s company registration process against criminal activity from overseas.

“Our company registration processes are highly-respected but there have been increasing threats to our international reputation posed by overseas interests which use New Zealand-registered companies to undertake criminal activity.

“These changes will help ensure New Zealand retains its position as one of the best places in the world to do business”.

New Zealand-resident directors or agents will be responsible for ensuring companies provide accurate information to the Registrar of Companies and will be liable if companies breach their filing requirements under the Companies Act.
The Registrar of Companies will also get expanded powers. There will be a greater ability to remedy issues concerning the bona fides of directors and shareholders of companies, and to deal with compliance issues around company registration.  There will also be greater powers to take action where doubt exists about the accuracy of information about a company on the register. 

“In particular, the Registrar will be able to ‘flag’ companies which are under investigation,” Mr Power says.
“This will provide greater protection for legitimate businesses, which will be able to check the Companies Office website to see if there are concerns about the bona fides of the companies they are doing business with.
“If the investigation shows that a company and its directors or agent have given inaccurate or misleading information, or have committed other breaches of companies legislation, the Registrar will be able to remove that company from the register.

“The Registrar will be able to also prohibit any person from acting as a director for up to five years where they were a director of such a company.”

Similar provisions will be put in place for limited partnerships. 
The measures will require amendments to the Companies Act and related legislation. A bill setting out these measures is expected to be introduced to Parliament next year.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/government/news/article.cfm?c_id=49&objectid=10672170

A respected children’s media expert is lamenting that kids have been sacrificed to sleaze under New Zealand’s TV standards system. Ruth Zanker is a lecturer at Christchurch Polytechnic and a researcher who has specialised in children and the media. She has noted a change. “There is a general sexualising that has gone on with tabloidisation of media – sex is the easy way of making a hit and it boosts ratings. Children are being sacrificed on the altar of ratings,” she says. Zanker has noted an increasing level of sexuality creeping into early prime time as the TV networks chase ratings. It is a difficult time and parents are either unwilling or unable to police their kids’ viewing. Zanker says New Zealand’s broadcasting laws have created the problem. The Broadcasting Standards Authority acts on complaints. But few complain and the BSA has steered at freedom of speech rather the protection of children, she says.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10670696

[Article highlighted on website by Family First NZ - A well-respected charity registered with the Charities Commission. See www.familyfirst.org.nz and www.charities.govt.nz ]

“Young girls having their innocence stolen” by Paula McDowell, Year 10, of Tauraroa  Area School.

“Overdose of bare flesh corrupts our kids” by Zhan Ye Chen, Year 13, Hamilton Boys’ High School, and

“Ears burn from dirty songs”,  Jacqueline Yee, Year 10, of St. Cuthbert’s College.

As a registered charity SPCS seeks to promote the spiritual and moral welfare of communities and it has as one of its objectives:

“To foster public awareness of the benefits to social, economic and moral welfare of community standards and to encourage constructive debate and discussion in this area.”

The Society applauds the young writers of these articles for boldly expressing views that run counter to the liberal mindset found in much mainstream media. Surely it is a sick mindset that champions the gratuitous depiction of promiscuity, pornography and the pestilence of moral vices involving prostitution, pimping and drug-taking, dished up with a regular deluge of obscenities; all for the sake of public entertainment.

The Society also has another objective “To support responsible freedom of expression that does not injure the public good”.

The Society applauds the three NZ Herald writers for their creativity and for being able to responsibly and freely express their opinions. It applauds the NZ Herald for allowing such views to be expressed in a Society where many officials in government agencies, including Crown entities as well as media commentators and academics, regularly seek to vilify conservatives who wish to point out the negative impact and toxic effect of the tidal wave of immorality that engulfs our community.

The corruption and harm associated with the “overdose of bare flesh” (porn sleaze) and “dirty” (obscene) lyrics, thrust upon the community – kids included – by pornographers and musical ‘artists’, is decried by all those who, like the Society seek to uphold community standards – “encourage self-respect and the dignity of the human person”.

Fellow offender Kerry Harford reached a confidential settlement with the board and was sentenced to four years and three months’ prison. He was paroled in June after serving 18 months.

But Swann was held responsible for most of the offending – $15.1 m – and this week Justice Graham Panckhurst ordered the fortfeiture of $4.4 m of property and the payment of $6m.

Swann had refused to co-operate with the tracing of assets and “his attitude throughout has been the very antithesis of co-operation”, Justice Panckhurst said.

He ordered 33 items to be forfeited, including land, cars and boats worth a total of $3,492,583.

Swann’s wife, Anna Devereux, has until August 19 to hand over the family home in Dunedin and to pay $10,000 in outstanding rates. However, she was awarded items and money to the value of $55,000 as her interest in the property.

Source: NZPA (Dominion Post 4 Sept. p. A11).

The National Enforcement Office (NEU) has taken a keen interest in determining the whereabouts of Mr John M Carr who is required to appear before the Auckland District Court at 10 am on Tuesday 28 September to face charges relating to four NZ registered companies he directs and owns. The NEU is no doubt aware that a professional corporation named John M Carr CPA was formed and registered on 3 May 2010 by John Malcolm Carr in the State of Oklahoma.

Mr Carr is the registered agent for this Domestic For Profit corporation and he registered his address as agent as 8 North Central Avenue, Idabel, Oklahoma 74745. The Filing Number for John M Carr CPA PC is 2212272198.

The Idabel Local Business Directory lists “Accountants & Accounting (CPA) John M Carr” at this same address with a Tel. No. (580) 286-6654.

A major downtown building development during 2004-2005 was linked with John M. Carr CPA, Inc. / Grand Masonic Lodge (Phase II). See http://www.idabelmainstreet.com/id2.html

John M Carr’s website states:

“Better Business Services Inc. started in San Antonio, Texas on November 11th, 1983. … In 2002 the Certified Public Accounting office in Idabel Oklahoma merged with … resulting in the largest CPA office in McCurtain County, Oklahoma.” … (www.bbs.co.nz/profile.htm)

According to the recent records of one US business website:

“Better Business Services Inc is a private company categorized under Billing Service and located in San Antonio, TX…  it was established in 1983 and incorporated in Texas. Current estimates show this company has an annual
revenue of 1,034,265 and employs a staff of approximately 51.”

Its SIC Code 8721, defines its business as “Accounting, Auditing, and Bookkeeping Services” and its NAICS Code 541219, indicates that it provides “Other Accounting Services”. (see: http://www.manta.com/c/mm32hcb/better-business-services-inc ).

Idabel, the location of BBS offices, is an incorporated place (Class Code P1) located in McCurtain County. It had a population of 6,952 and a land area land area of 15.93 sq. miles for Census 2000.

John Malcolm Carr is president, director and registered agent for Better Business Services Inc. incorporated in Texas. He is registered agent for John M Carr CPA, incorporated in Oklahoma. It would appear he has his attention focused on US  mailboxes rather than ones based down under.

The eight criminal charges were laid by the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) enforcement unit against John Malcolm Carr whose date of birth is listed in court documents as unknown. His address was given as a Remuera, Auckland, apartment but MED says it has not been able to contact him there or at any stage in its inquiry into his activities [which have been ongoing since  August 2009]. The charges relate to four companies Mr Carr directs and owns, including Velocity Partners Ltd, PJ Digital Ltd, Shelf Company No. 10 Ltd, and First Virtual Deposit & Nominee Ltd.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4017695/American-director-misses-court-date

Velocity Partners Ltd owns eight companies directed by John M Carr as well as 50% of IP Investors Ltd which is directed by John M Carr and John Frederick Commins and which has a multi-million dollar share portfolio. 35% of the IP Investors is owned by Ultimate Performance Partners Ltd, 10% by Roderick Carr, John Carr’s brother and 5% by James Francesco of San Antonio, Texas, a business associate of John M Carr. (Roderick Carr (PhD) of Riccarton, Christchurch, is former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank and is currently Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury University).

One of the companies owned by Velocity Partners is Kinetiq Ltd which is directed by John M Carr. Kinetiq owns two North Shore City properties. The first is Unit B2, 18 Triton Drive, Albany, NSC 0632 (Cert. Title 215866).The second is Unit 13, 33-35 Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland (Cert. Title Ref. 102435).

Porn ‘mother company’ CVC Group Ltd directed by John M Carr has its registered office at the first property in Albany. Hardcore porn promotion company Eden Digital Ltd, which it owns and is also directed by John M Carr, also has its registered offices at this property, along with HWGA Company Ltd directed by Porn King Steve Crow’s bother David Bruce Crow and his sister Leanne Marie Osborn. HWGA Co. Ltd owns 40% of CVC Group Ltd. 

The second property owned by Kinetiq Ltd, the Mairangi Bay one, is the registered office and address for service for 20 companies either directed and owned by John M Carr (four including Velocity Partners) or owned by companies he directs and/or owns. Velocity Partners Ltd has its registered office at the Mairangi Bay property and it owns 39% of CVC Group Ltd – directed by John M Carr.

Kinetiq Ltd, as well as owning two properties in North Shore City, also owns 50% of Totalhosting Ltd, directed by John M Carr and Stuart Cairns of Remuera, Auckland.

The BBS companies are based in a one-storey, three bedroom family home built in 1950 with one bathroom. Its only permitted use is as a “one family home”. The house has 8 rooms, has a metal roof, one garage and is set on a property of 9.81 acres of scrub. The house is 2,228 sq. ft. in area. The 2009 Tax assessor’s value of the property was $375,530 (Assessed in 2008: $403,000 and in 2007 $406,940).

See: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/22588-Scenic-Loop-Rd-San-Antonio-TX-78255/26162877_zpid/

See: http://www.realtor.com/property-detail/22588-Scenic-Loop-Rd_San-Antonio_TX_78255_e09b5f02

John Malcolm Carr records this  22588 Scenic Loop Road property in State records in both Florida and Texas as his address as registered agent and/or president or director and/or president of the following companies. Two business colleagues Christina De Russo and James Francesco use the same address as registered agent and director respectively.

Texas registered corporations.

1. B.B.S. Charities Inc. (Tax ID 30114169250). Registered agent John M Carr

2. Better Business Services, Inc. (Tax ID 17422888796). President and Registered agent John M Carr.

3. Carr Business Services Inc. (Tax ID 742447463). Registered agent John M Carr. This corporation is recorded as “not in good standing. It has not satisfied all franchise requirements).

4. B.B.S. Finance Inc. (Tax ID 30010900303). Registered agent John M Carr.

5. B.B.S. Land & Property Development Inc. (Tax ID 17424831992). John M Carr, as director and president uses P.O. Box 780637 San Antonio as his address while  Christina De Russo, who is the registered agent uses 22588 Scenic Loop Rd, San Antonio as her addres.

Florida Registered corporations

6. Internet Excellence Inc. (Tax ID 742684057). Directors John M Carr and James A Francesco both use 22588 Scenic Loop Rd, San Antonio, as their as their addresses as co-directors. Carr uses a Florida address as the registered agent – 1621 Hillcrest St, Orlando FL.

7. Carr Consulting P.A. (Tax ID 593113361). John M Carr, as President uses the Scenic Loop Rd address. As registered agent he uses the Hillcrest St, Orlando, Florida address.

8. Payroll Solution Inc. (Tax ID 742650806). John M Carr president and director uses Scenic Loop Rd address.

The National Enforcement Unit of the MED has served Mr Carr (via his Cromwell-based representative – attorney Alan Bevan McKay), on eight charges under the Financial Reporting Act 1993 that relate to New Zealand registered companies he directs. If convicted of any the charges, which each carry a hefty fine, the criminal charge(s) will be with company director John M Carr for life. The MED has sought advice from the Crown Solicitor, Dr David Collins QC, on whether the laying of the eight criminal charges is warranted based on the quality of evidence it presented him with and also whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the prosecution. Dr Collins QC advised the MED that the offences warranted criminal prosecution through the Court. John M Carr’s attorney is a Partner in Checketts McKay Law, Central Otago. The Court case originally scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday 22 July has been adjourned until 12 August 2010.

According to AmCham News (Sept. 2009) M Carr is a CPA based in San Antonio Texas. State Government records show that he is President, Director and registered agent of Better Business Services Inc, PO Box 780637 San Antonio, TX 78278,  located at 22588 Scenic Loop Road, San Antonio, Texas 78255.

References: See AmCham News (American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand) Vol. 8, Iss. 9, Sept. 2009, p. 9. Article entitled “Foreign Bank Account Filing Requirements” by John M Carr MBA CPA CFP CVA CFE EA and Gina Wallace, Chartered Accountant based in Auckland, New Zealand. www.amcham.co.nz