Gambler embarrasses Labour figures
He was a high-rolling gambler with a mysterious fortune who lavished cash on political parties and boasted of his connections to MPS – the curious case of Chinese millionaire Bill Liu surfaced in the weeks leading up to the 2008 election, embarrassing senior Labour figures.
It has now returned to haunt Labour MPS in Opposition, as they face awkward questions about just how a wealthy donor, wanted for fraud in China, was granted citizenship – overruling the advice of high-ranking officials.
Before the High Court at Auckland, the defendant facing four counts of fraud is Yong Ming Yan.
To his MP mates he is Bill Liu. He was granted citizenship in the name of Yang Lui – days later he changed it to William Yang, and was granted a passport.
It’s believed he arrived in New Zealand in late 2001, already a wealthy man – although how he made his millions remains a mystery.
Court documents detail four monikers and several birth dates – he explains this away by saying he was an orphan who was fostered. His various passports put him at either 39 or 42 years old.
Liu was granted permanent residency here in mid-2002. Soon he was known around the tables at Auckland’s Skycity casino, reportedly playing blackjack and baccarat for 15-hour stretches.
He paid cash for a $2 millionplus apartment in the swanky Metropolis tower in central Auckland. Five years later he bought a home in Bayswater, valued at $5m. He is married, to Vienna with two children, aged 7 and 4.
One report suggested that in 2007, a winning streak caused the casino to miss profit targets. Internal Affairs (DIA) confirmed in 2009 Liu was one of a number of ‘‘gamblers of significance’’ they had discussed with Skycity.
By May 2005 Liu had applied for citizenship. But a month later Chinese authorities posted a ‘‘red notice’’ with Interpol. They claimed he was born Yong Ming Yan and stole the identity of Yang Liu in 1999, obtaining two false passports. He was wanted for embezzlement.
Friends say the claims were false – made because Liu is longtime supporter of Falun Gong, opponents of the Communist regime.
Three months later bank accounts he held in Australia were frozen – and in June 2007, $4m was sent to the Chinese Government. Liu was not convicted of any offence – he agreed to the repatriation without an admission of liability – allegations swirling around him were so serious immigration officials suggested his permanent residency be revoked.
Then-immigration minister David Cunliffe recommended further investigation. In April 2008, immigration obtained a search warrant – they wanted the documents Liu had provided to DIA as part of his application for citizenship.
Five months later, Liu was granted citizenship – against the recommendation of DIA officials.
As matters had not been resolved with the Chinese, Liu did not pass the good character requirement, officials concluded.
When the news was broken to Liu, he was unfazed – one official told the court this week that he put his hands behind his head and leaned confidently back in his chair.
DIA case officer Olele Gambo said Liu was 99 per cent sure the application would be granted.
‘‘He said he had a lot of support from members of Parliament . . . he was going to take them to China,’’ he said.
Investigating officer Bruce Ross told the court Liu was happy to let his application go to the minister.
The file – with a recommendation that citizenship be declined – passed to Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker. Mr Barker delegated it to associate Shane Jones because of a conflict of interest. He was a friend and, accompanied by wife Jennifer, had visited Liu at his home.
MP Dover Samuels wrote twice to Mr Barker complaining of delays. He says he also wrote to Mr Jones ‘‘saying he’d [Liu] been victimised’’.
‘‘I was a personal friend of his and his family before his children were born,’’ Mr Samuels said yesterday. ‘‘His wife and children are New Zealanders.’’
Mr Samuels said he believes the charges were withdrawn by Chinese authorities and that Liu hadn’t committed any offences in New Zealand.
‘‘He’s a bloody good bloke. He was persecuted.’’
Labour’s Chris Carter and National’s Pansy Wong also wrote letters of support for his citizenship. Mrs Wong, who left Parliament last year over an expenses scandal could not be reached for comment.
Liu donated $5000 to both National and Labour during the 2005 election campaign. A host of politicians – including Mrs Wong – held fundraisers at his Manukau restaurant, which he is believed to have sold in 2008.
Prime Minister John Key yesterday said he had lunch with Liu on ‘‘one or two occasions’’ during the 2008 election campaign after being introduced by Mrs Wong.
Officials told the court this week that Liu was sworn in as a New Zealander a day after Mr Jones received the file.
The ceremony – officiated by Mr Samuels – was held in Parliament’s Maori Affairs select committee room, for which permission would have had to be obtained from Speaker Margaret Wilson.
Two months later the case hit the headlines. Prime Minister Helen Clark, fighting a losing election campaign, was left to explain why he had been granted citizenship.
By January, Liu had sold his Auckland properties for more than $10m. He was arrested in June at Auckland airport as he waited to board a flight to Korea.
Mr Samuels – who visited him at Manukau police station after his arrest – says he was going on a shopping trip.
He insists he did not go to China with Liu – and the allegations of this week ‘‘are something very, very new to me’’.