Earthquake claims attorney wins $350,000 lawsuit after debt collector publishes allegations

The allegations of a debt collector linked to the gang, which were reported in Parliament, on the Campbell Live TV show and on Facebook, saw a Christchurch businessman awarded $350,000.

Earthquake claims advocate Brian Staples sued Richard Freeman, formerly owner of debt recovery firm Ironclad Securities and Media Works TV over allegations he made in 2014.

In a ruling on Friday, Supreme Court Justice Jean-Marie Doug agreed that Staples had been defamed by Freeman, who accused him of corruption, thuggery and a people-robbery conman.

Staples’ case against Mediaworks TV and two former Campbell Live journalists has not been heard.

Read more: *NZ First shows its waking side, but doesn’t think Winston Peters is going anywhere *Winston Peters message to MediaWorks: ‘Doing good’ *Court order to reveal Campbell Live story sources has been overturned *No fees to pursue debt investigation Ironclad Securities Collection * Police investigate debt collectors with gang links

Dean Kozanek / Staff

Brian Staples, pictured in 2014 when allegations of him first surfaced. Staples has now won $350,000 in compensation.

The judge also said that First New Zealand leader Winston Peters at the time had slandered Staples when he repeated the allegations in Parliament.

Parliamentary privilege prevents Peters from being prosecuted for his comments.

Staples owns Claims Resolution Service (CRS), a company that seeks earthquake insurance settlements on a “no-profit, no-fee” basis.

His troubles began when CRS refused to pay Malcolm Gibson for $170,000 in billed work after discovering he was not the highly qualified quantity surveyor he claimed to be, the court was told. Staples said the work Gibson did left no commercial value to CRS.

When it was not paid, Gibson sold the $170,000 debt to Ironclad Securities for $1. Staples said he viewed the move as a form of revenge.

Abigail Dougherty/Staff

The Supreme Court ruled that Richard Freeman was liable for the damage caused by a speech in Parliament made by Winston Peters, pictured. Peters is protected from lawsuit by parliamentary privilege.

Freeman was a co-manager and co-owner of Ironclad Securities Ltd along with Lyndon Richardson, then a prominent member of the Head Hunters gang, who now owns and operates the company on his own.

The court was told that two “horrific men” then arrived at Staples’ home and threatened to kill him if he did not pay them within seven days.

When he didn’t pay, Ironclad began posting a series of allegations about him on his Facebook page, which Staples said were untrue. Freeman admitted that he was the page’s manager.

The publications described Staples as a professional fraud, accused him of illegal conduct and, as reported to the court, said he is bullying and threatening “good people with their debts”.

In her ruling, the judge said: “Ironclad appears to be nothing more than ‘enforcers’.

supplied/stuff

Richard Freeman, pictured, has been found responsible for defaming Brian Staples.

Neither Mr. Freeman nor Ironclad at any point attempted to refer the debt to the appropriate tribunal. Instead, Mr. Staples alleges that Freeman sent threatening letters, telling Mr. Staples that he placed vehicle tracking devices on his vehicle and threatened him at work.”

Staples later obtained restraining orders against Freeman under harassment laws.

In July 2014 after discussions with Freeman and obtaining documents, Winston Peters gave a speech in Parliament accusing Staples of using his companies to “defraud, mislead and deceive people”.

The judge found that Freeman “actively encouraged Mr. Peters to use absolute privilege to make allegations about Mr. Staples”.

Staff/stuff

Lyndon Richardson, pictured, was a senior member of the Hunter’s gang when he co-owned Ironclad Securities with Richard Freeman. (file image)

Most of the speech was broadcast on Mediaworks’ Campbell Live TV, in material that Staples told the court was “very poor, crooked and untrue.” The program later ran a second item based on Peters’ claims.

“Mr Freeman is responsible for the damage caused by Mr. Peter’s speech in Parliament and the first Campbell Live programme,” the court ruling said.

The court heard evidence that Staples’ business, reputation, and well-being had been severely damaged by the allegations published against him.

“They represent a sustained and all-out attack on Mr. Staples’ character and business practices.” The judge said.

The current affairs program on Mediaworks TV Campbell Live, hosted by John Campbell, pictured, also featured the allegations against Staples.

Mr. Staples says that everything changed when Mr. Freeman and his ‘chief hunter’ entered his life.

The judge recorded several aggravating factors against Freeman.

His financial motives included defamation of Staples’ reputation, his apparent attempts to blackmail him, abusive emails and threats, and his violation of the order against him, and that he “knowingly and cynically” encouraged Peters to make allegations in Parliament knowing that Staples would have no way.

Freeman was ordered to pay $350,000 from Staples in damages, judgment date interest, and $20,000 in costs.

John Kirk Anderson/Staff

Grant Robertson and Megan Woods explain the government’s response to the EQC report.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos