A jailed businessman has been further sentenced in the Auckland District Court — this time for taking part in the management of a business while bankrupt and concealing property worth more than $1.7 million.
Aaron Coupe was jailed for four years in January 2025 for managing companies while prohibited under the Companies Act.
His latest sentencing, which took place on June 6, added three years and nine months, which would mean he could serve up to eight years and two months in total, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
During his second bankruptcy in 2022, MBIE said Coupe breached restrictions imposed on him, and took part in the management of businesses through actively managing construction projects in Tuakau, Wiri and Auckland.
Under the name of Aaron McGregor, which was Coupe’s birth name, MBIE said he “overtly sought out projects” to manage, and directed payments for these projects into an account under his mother’s name.
Coupe’s interest in this account was not disclosed to the Official Assignee.
In the Auckland District Court, judge Kathryn Maxwell said Coupe’s “arrogance is incomprehensible”.
“We’re also dealing with a maximum penalty that is arguably inadequate.
“You have barely taken a breath since you started offending in 2013.”
In 2014, Coupe was sentenced for offending which arose from his conduct during his first bankruptcy in 2010.
In 2016, he was sentenced to 12 months’ home detention, 200 hours’ community work, and $75,100.68 in reparation.
MBIE said the convictions meant he was banned from being a director or involved in the management of a company for five years.
Despite this, MBIE said Coupe took part in the management of five companies, causing “substantial financial losses” and “significant emotional distress” to his business partners, stakeholders and creditors.
MBIE business registries investigations and compliance team manager Vanessa Cook said it was important that Coupe was held to account for his ongoing offending.
“The sentence reflects the harm that Mr Coupe caused through his failure to comply with conditions imposed on him, not only by being adjudicated bankrupt, but also by the court.
“By intentionally evading the measures that were put in place to protect the public, Mr Coupe was able to deceive people into engaging in business with him, enabling him to conceal $1.7 million that could have been paid to his creditors.
“It’s important that responsibility is accepted by those whose behaviour causes significant harm to the community.”
Cook said MBIE would like to thank all the witnesses who came forward “to assist in ensuring that Mr Coupe’s unscrupulous behaviour was stopped”.
MBIE added that prohibited directors, or individuals who wee currently adjudicated bankrupt, could be checked on its website.