Former National candidate Jake Bezzant sued for alleged fraud

Jake Bezzant resigned as an Invisible Urban director in 2021 after allegations made against him by an ex-girlfriend but he was reappointed as a director last December. (Image: Supplied))

John Anthony

Mon, 14 Apr 2025

Former National Party candidate Jake Bezzant and his New Zealand business partners are being sued by a US investor over an alleged fraudulent scheme to solicit a US$50,000 (NZ$86,000) investment in a company represented as an EV charging business.Georgia resident John Stapleton filed a civil action for securities fraud and related claims against NZ company Invisible Urban Charging and its directors, Bezzant, Nigel Broomhall, Leigh Morrow, and Eileen Murray, among others, on Wednesday (NZ time).“Defendants engaged in a scheme to defraud Mr...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZME down 2.7% as Trump keeps markets jittery

The S&P/NZX 50 fell 0.79% to 12,011.34 on Tuesday.

Gregor Thompson 5:55pm

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Tuesday, April 15

Can you beat the Quizmaster?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Markets

NZME director David Gibson resigns

Gibson's resignation is effective from Tuesday.

Staff reporters 9:00am

Sponsored

Go beyond reporting zero emissions

Clean energy that helps businesses and communities thrive

Meridian Energy

Sponsored

New life in property market

Tax rule changes are bringing back mum-and-dad investors.

Fletcher Living

More Law & Regulation

Retail

Flexibility is ‘core’ to drivers: Australasian Uber chief

Emma Foley says drivers want to be contractors, despite the court case opposing it.

Gregor Thompson 5:00am

Law & Regulation

FMA files criminal charge against Prem Gounder

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has filed a criminal charge against former Auckland-based financial adviser Prem Gounder for dishonestly using a document.The FMA alleges that Gounder, while acting as a licensed financial adviser, submitted a false document, namely a gifting...

Staff reporters 11 Apr 2025