Chinese construction company Hightrade left a trail of destruction, and only one person is paying for his crimes

By Joanne McCarthy
Updated February 15 2017 - 9:13am, first published 8:59am
Mick Martin lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to the company.  Photo: Stefan Moore
Mick Martin lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to the company. Photo: Stefan Moore
Neil Hughton (Crowne Plaza ex-hotel manager), Hightrade boss Li Zhang, Labor party identity Henry Tsang and former Minister for the Hunter Michael Costa. Photo: Newcastle Herald
Neil Hughton (Crowne Plaza ex-hotel manager), Hightrade boss Li Zhang, Labor party identity Henry Tsang and former Minister for the Hunter Michael Costa. Photo: Newcastle Herald
David Li, Construction Manager Sky Central Charlestown, and Pomare Auimatagi from the CFMEU.  Photo: Supplied
David Li, Construction Manager Sky Central Charlestown, and Pomare Auimatagi from the CFMEU. Photo: Supplied
Losses: Tiler Sam Kim lost $700,000 after a Hightrade company wound up in 2009. Photo: Kitty Hill
Losses: Tiler Sam Kim lost $700,000 after a Hightrade company wound up in 2009. Photo: Kitty Hill
Losses: David Letter was just one of many Hunter sub-contractors to lose money after doing work for Hightrade companies. Photo: Peter Stoop
Losses: David Letter was just one of many Hunter sub-contractors to lose money after doing work for Hightrade companies. Photo: Peter Stoop

It was the conspiracy that left a trail of destruction through the Hunter, cost Australian taxpayers nearly $100 million in tax fraud and left regulators wrong-footed after two of the three conspirators fled the country.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Tamworth news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.