Former Blue Chip director Bryers (52), normally charismatic and articulate, sat silently for two hours in an Auckland District Court dock, avoiding eye contact with investors who had come along hopeful of a pound of flesh.
They had wanted a jail sentence, though that was a possibility in just one of the 34 charges on which he was sentenced.
Bryers had wanted his offending dealt with by way of fine only. His lawyer, Aaron Lloyd, referred to a letter from Bryers' employer noting that the hassle of their employee having to return from his Sydney home to do community service in New Zealand might make it unworthwhile employing him.
His employer is Northern Crest Ltd, previously named Blue Chip Financial Solutions and the sole remaining remnant of the Blue Chip group.
It is now run by Australians with the assistance of Bryers, acting as a consultant and paid up to $144,000 a year.
That information is contained in a probation report examining Bryers' ability to pay a fine.
Vic Noble, an investor himself, had to remortgage his house to help out his parents because of their Blue Chip losses. He hoped to see Bryers jailed. A fine and community service would not be enough.
"I'd be happy to scrap the community service, scrap the fine and have five minutes alone with him," Mr Noble said during a court break.
In the dock, Bryers, spruce in dark suit, blue, red and grey tie, hair an incongruous black, looked pallid and nervous.
The court was prepared for trouble but unprepared for the number of people who wanted to see the sentencing. One of the smaller courts had been allocated. Judge Chris Field apologised.
The public listened as the judge described Bryers' behaviour in relation to the charges as "an egregious lapse of duty".
"Seventy-five hours," said Mr Noble. "I might go and start up a finance company."
Blue Chip director Mark Bryers in court
• Avoids jail - sentenced to 75 hours' community work and a fine of $37,500.
• Income of up to $144,000 a year.
• Had previously pleaded guilty to 34 charges relating to book-keeping and record-keeping failures and failing to attend a creditors' meeting.
• Blue Chip collapsed in 2008, owing around 3000 investors more than $80 million.
- Phil Taylor.
