7 Mar 2012

All evidence in Bridgecorp case now heard

6:15 pm on 7 March 2012

The Auckland High Court has now heard all the evidence in the trial of three former directors of failed finance company Bridgecorp.

Rod Petricevic, Rob Roest and Peter Steigrad are facing criminal charges after the company collapsed in 2007 owing more than $450 million.

The Crown will begin summing up its case on 14 March, followed by the defence for Mr Petricevic, Mr Roest and Mr Steigrad in that order.

It is expected that the judge will deliver his verdict before Easter in early April.

The trial has been hampered by a series of delays, mostly due to changes of counsel, applications for legal aid and because one of the defence lawyers was ill.

It was initially due to start in July 2011 and eventually began in October.

Mr Petricevic and Mr Roest each face 18 charges under the Securities, Crimes and Companies Acts.

Mr Stiegrad faces 10 charges under the Securities Act.