Companies Office probes Zone Media

The Companies Office has launched an investigation into a troubled Christchurch film and video production company.

The Press revealed earlier that Zone Media Limited, formed by director Jacob Williams (formerly known as Zach Anthony), with Brodie Williams listed as the manager, went into liquidation in December owing money to 31 creditors. As of yesterday, the company owed about $115,000, liquidator Imran Kamal said.

A Companies Office spokeswoman confirmed on Monday an investigation into the company was under way after a number of complaints. She could not comment further, she said.

Kamal earlier raised concerns about the ‘‘legitimacy’’ of Zone Media.

‘‘There are no records to show that the company performed any sales, or finished any projects.’’

He had been unable to locate any of the company assets and had received no records or cooperation from the owners. He had lodged formal complaints with various agencies, including police, regarding their conduct in relation to how the company was managed.

Brodie Williams and Jacob Williams moved into a two-storey apartment in Ferrymead at the end of July.

The property’s owner, Vince Williams said the apartment was in ‘‘brand new condition’’ after earthquake repairs. By the time the men were evicted six months later, it was ‘‘wrecked’’.

The Press received photos of the men dropping a flat screen TV in the middle of the road from either a forklift or scissor lift. Another photo shows a Zone Media branded forklift after it crashed into a street light.

The tenancy ended in December, a month after a fire broke out in the ground floor of the apartment after a discarded cigarette butt in an office rubbish bin caused $15,000 damage.

In an earlier statement Zone Media said staff would not comment and had been asked not to be contacted by reporters.

‘‘Any reporter seen or found to be contacting Zone Media Limited staff or following them will be informed to the police and to [the] reporter’s management for harassment.

‘‘This also includes taking photos of Zone Media staff.’’

* Liquidator Imran Kamal earlier said Zone Media owed $150,000. He now says the figure is $115,000.