Kenneth James Anderson (66) entered guilty pleas in the Christchurch District Court on October 14 to charges brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
The charges arose out of the collapse of Canterbury clothing manufacturer, Lane Walker Rudkin Industries (LWR) in 2009.
Mr Anderson, who was Director of LWR, pleaded guilty to three representative charges brought under the Crimes Act of dishonestly using a document.
The charges related to provision of false financial statements, which were used to obtain and retain lending facilities from Westpac New Zealand Limited (Westpac).
He also pleaded guilty to a further representative charge relating to the use of false documentation to obtain funds under a letter of credit facility provided by Westpac.
Mr Anderson and another individual were charged in July 2011.
SFO Acting Director Simon McArley said that Mr Anderson’s actions had a profound effect on the region at the time.
“LWR employed many staff and enjoyed an international reputation. The scale and impact of Mr Anderson’s fraud was extensive. SFO are pleased to bring some closure to his involvement in this investigation,” he said.
The remaining defendant continues to face charges and a trial commenced in the Christchurch District Court on October 14, 2013.
