William Yan
-
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11699236'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11699236</a></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><strong>William Yan - the Man of many names</strong><br><br>
2001: Arrives in New Zealand with two identities, Yang Liu and Yong Ming Yan.<br><br>
2002: Granted permanent residency as Yang Liu.<br><br>
2005: Applied for citizenship. Makes donations to Labour and National.<br><br>
2007: Immigration New Zealand's moves to revoke permanent residency vetoed by minister.<br><br>
2008: Three MPs write in support of citizenship application. Citizenship approved by ministerial prerogative, against advice of officials. Ceremony held at Parliament. Changed his name to William Yan.<br><br>
2009: Arrested at Auckland Airport and charged with making false declarations on his immigration and citizenship papers.<br><br>
2012: Found not guilty in High Court at Auckland, despite Justice Timothy Brewer saying the evidence "proves a situation that is highly suspicious".<br><br>
2013: Auditor-General releases report which criticises former Cabinet minister Shane Jones for granting citizenship but said there was no evidence of wrongdoing.<br><br>
2014: Police raid Mr Yan's penthouse and seize his assets.<br><br>
2016: He agrees to forfeit $42.85 million as a settlement of the civil case.
<p> </p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="608230" data-time="1471908508">
<div>
<p>So... is he buying your government, or what?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>He bought the Labour govt, not the current one. A whole different bunch are probably buying this one.</p> -
<p>that more than pays for the Flag referendum!</p>
-
Be a couple of labour MPs wishing they could photoshop themselves from a few photos and news paper articles right about now.<br>
Between him and .com you can't help feel the average NZ mp has absolutely no idea on distinguishing between dodgy rich guys and non dodgy rich guys -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Virgil" data-cid="608352" data-time="1471926418">
<div>
<p>Between him and .com you can't help feel the average NZ mp has absolutely no idea on distinguishing between dodgy rich guys and non dodgy rich guys</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>If there's a difference :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Maybe that's the problem with politics - compromises need to happen, and its little steps between that and corruption.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Virgil" data-cid="608352" data-time="1471926418">
<div>
<p>Be a couple of labour MPs wishing they could photoshop themselves from a few photos and news paper articles right about now.<br>
Between him and .com you can't help feel the average NZ mp has absolutely no idea on distinguishing between dodgy rich guys and non dodgy rich guys</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>The ones who can didn't take the money, and didn't get to be MPs. Simple Darwinism at work ... and we get the governments we deserve.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="608995" data-time="1472124752"><p>
I can't believe that this isn't a bigger story. Christ, you're supposed to sell residency, not citizenship!</p></blockquote>
<br>
Pretty sure they sold him both, and also refused to cancel his residence visa when Immigration wanted him deported. -
This is the sort of news the media should be all over, not Hillary figgin whats her name.<br><br>
By world standards NZ has a proud record of low levels of corruption and singling out this type of shit helps keep it that way.<br><br>
Every basket case country and many more besides suffer greatly because politicians and governments get away with corruption. IMO it's one of the worst traits to creep into a society, and if not identified and acted upon it can easily become the norm.<br><br>
These people involved in this should and must be taken to task.
