With tens of millions at stake in the world-wide fight over control of used car importer Autoterminal, Hohua Hemi has narrowed the focus in his dispute with business partner Robert Stone seeking details of alleged backdoor deals between Hamilton-based Mike Tyler and Mr Stone intended to shut him out.
Hemi and Stone built a lucrative business importing used cars from Japan for over fifteen years. Their business empire resides in companies spread across Japan, the Philippines, New Zealand and the Cayman Islands.Their business relationship is in disarray; there are currently four separate High Court actions underway.
Mr Hemi alleges Mr Stone is in cahoots with Mike Tyler. The High Court was told Mr Tyler came to have titular control of Autoterminal’s business empire following a 2009 restructuring. Mr Tyler took control of a key Autoterminal company holding shares as trustee for Mr Stone and him, Mr Hemi said. Mr Tyler subsequently acted only on joint instructions from both him and Mr Stone, he said. Since Hemi and Stone fell out, Mr Tyler has sided with Mr Stone, refusing to provide information, Mr Hemi complains.
The New Zealand High Court ordered Mr Tyler to disclose details of his Autoterminal employment contract together with evidence of all payments and benefits received plus all communications with Mr Stone evidencing any agreement or promised reward for Mr Tyler to side with Mr Stone against Mr Hemi.
Mr Stone told the court he is not in any business relationship with Mr Hemi. This statement does not fit well with documents Mr Stone filed in a Cayman Island court in June 2020 stating the two were business partners, Associate judge Lester said.
Hemi v. Tyler – High Court (26.08.20)
20.146