A Russian businessman has had New Zealand drink-driving charges against him dismissed after nearly four years and multiple court battles. On Wednesday, Khimich was set to re-appear, however his charges were dismissed by the police and again he did not appear from Russia. In 2018, Waiwera Thermal Resort made all staff redundant ahead of a six-month refurbishment of the pools, but never re-opened. According to the first liquidators' report by Staples Rodway, published in March, Waiwera Thermal Resort owed Waiwera Group Limited $2.1 million, Inland Revenue $584,481 and unsecured creditors $1.1m. Last year, the High Court in Wellington ordered Khimich to pay Kiwibank back more than $1.29m in unpaid loans issued to Waiwera Thermal Resort.

Source: Stuff March 18, 2020 20:03 UTC