Warning: This article discusses sexual assault and may be distressing for some readers.
The Acting Prime Minister has begun the process to strip Sir James Wallace of his knighthood after it was revealed he was the "prominent businessman" who sexually assaulted three young men.
Sir James, 84, had name suppression in place for several years, however, that expired on Wednesday.
Back in 2021, he was convicted of indecently assaulting three young men on separate occasions, who were lured to his Auckland mansion under the assumption of career opportunities.
Now, Acting PM Carmel Sepuloni has initiated the process for honours forfeiture.
"That process includes affording Sir James Wallace an opportunity to respond with any comments that he considers should be taken into account. There will be no further comment until that process has reached its conclusion."
After a trial at the High Court in Auckland, the arts patron was sentenced to two years and four months in prison in May 2021 for assaulting the men on separate occasions between the early 2000s and 2016.
Sir James was also convicted of attempting to dissuade one of the men from giving evidence on two occasions, by offering him a bribe of $15,000 as well as future work opportunities.
Sir James was worth about $165 million according to NBR's 2018 rich list. In the 2001 New Year Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the arts and in 2011 he was promoted to Knight's Companion.
But while Sir James was given New Zealand's top honour, behind closed doors he was sexually assaulting men who visited him at his Epsom home, Rannoch House, in hopes of career advancements.
During the trial, one of the men who was indecently assaulted described a "strange", "uncomfortable" and "creepy" evening at the man's house.
The man, who has name suppression, said the businessman made him two gin and tonics before telling him he was to stay for dinner.
After a meal and "one to one-and-a-half" glasses of wine, he recalled how Wallace took him on a tour of the house. The pair ended up in the man's bedroom.
"At this point, I was beginning to feel dizzy; I was beginning to feel nauseous; I felt like I was starting to have less control over my body."
The man alleges he was drugged.
As the man walked out of the room, he said the businessman grabbed his backside and kissed his neck.
Another man, who also visited the businessman’s house to discuss work, told the court that when he had tried to leave, Sir James had thrust one hand down the front of his pants, grabbing his genitals.
The third complainant was staying at the businessman’s house in 2016 when he became violently ill with food poisoning and went to bed. The man told the court the businessman came into his room completely naked, and later got into the bed with him, touching his genitals and body.
Sir James' business manager, as well as New Zealand entertainer Mika X, were both sentenced to home detention for their part in a plot to convince the third man to drop his complaint.
Who is Sir James?
Sir James was born in Cambridge and attended King's College in Auckland. He studied law at the University of Auckland before he joined the family business which would eventually become the Wallace Corporation.
He began collecting art in the 1960s, with a focus on young and emerging New Zealand artists and started the James Wallace Arts Trust Collection in the 1960s. In 2010, the art was moved to the historic Pah Homestead in Hillsborough.
Throughout his life, Sir James funded numerous arts, film and theatre projects, as well as being a trustee of various charitable trusts.
He also established the Wallace Art Awards for New Zealand artists.
Sir James received a knighthood for services to the arts in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 2011.
Where to find help for sexual violence:
- Auckland: (09) 623 1700 or visit helpauckland.org.nz
- Wellington: (04) 801 6655 or visit wellingtonhelp.org.nz
- Safe to Talk 0800 044 334, text 4334, webchat safetotalk.nz or email support@safetotalk.nz
- Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00
