Leisheng (Leonard) Cheng — who owns several hospitality businesses in the city — pleaded guilty in the Dunedin District Court to three charges under the Immigration Act relating to his employment practices at Great Taste Restaurant between 2016 and 2018.
One of the workers had no visa and was unlawfully in the country, another was illegally working while on a visitor visa and the third exceeded the maximum 20 hours a week on a student visa.
National manager immigration investigations Stephanie Greathead said Cheng had supported numerous staff in visa applications and was familiar with the immigration system.
"Cheng failed in his director responsibilities and knowingly employed staff who were not eligible to work in New Zealand. This offending is serious and won’t be tolerated. Cheng deliberately evaded the immigration system and a prosecution was the appropriate avenue in this case," Ms Greathead said.
"This conviction should send a strong warning to the business community that this offending will be prosecuted and immigration visa rules need to be adhered to."
Cheng was fined $11,900 for his crimes. The maximum penalty for each charge is a fine of $50,000.
According to Companies Office records, Cheng was also a 50% shareholder (along with Malcolm Burns) in the embattled Burns Group 2018 Ltd, which is now in liquidation.
A receivers’ report released at the end of last month showed the Mosgiel-based excavation company still owed creditors nearly $3 million after the sale of most of its equipment and vehicles.
Great Taste Restaurant also hit the headlines in 2021 — after Cheng’s role in the business ceased — when it was found to have been selling alcohol without a licence for seven months.
After management allayed concerns about the ongoing training of staff, the district licensing committee granted an on-licence.
