WELLINGTON (Reuters)
: A gangland informant is suing New
Zealand police for breach of
contract, claiming he was
short-changed after incriminating his partners in crime.
The former member of the Mongrel Mob, whose name is being
suppressed by the High Court, has lodged a suit in the court in
Auckland seeking NZ$220,000 ($116,000), The New Zealand Herald
reported.
The man, in his mid-30s, claims he was given a promise of a
substantial payment for providing information about drug and gun
crimes that was not fulfilled.
As no fixed amount was agreed with police, the man has
asked the
court to determine a reasonable figure based on his claim for a
mix of general, contractual and punitive damages.
Lawyer Paul Dale said his client was promised enough money to
set himself up in life again.
"What he received was in fact only about NZ$6,000 and he was
left high and dry and has since had to leave the country because
of fear of retribution."
The Mongrel Mob is one of a number of organized gang networks
active in New Zealand's major population centers. It
shares a
reputation for extortion, violence and armed drug dealing with
other gangs.
