Australian entrepreneur Nigel Grier presents as a successful, sustainability innovator helping save the world while making people rich.
As one investor said: "He is so credible. The way he talks, and what he talks about, you just want it to be true. But then he fails to deliver."Mr Grier, who resides in Western Australia, denies any wrongdoing and said he is the subject of a smear campaign, blaming former business partners. Partly thanks to the great sales pitch by Mr Grier, the project raised about $US350,000. But after a series of missed deadlines, broken promises and infighting among Mr Grier and his partners, it became clear it would not happen.he was furious and disappointed that all the help, time and effort his people gave to Mr Grier, it came to nothing. He feels for investors who lost money but said the biggest losers were the people of Karen.
Mr Grier did not defend himself and a default judgment without any findings on the merits was obtained against him and Karen Enterprises. The court automatically entered judgment in favour of the three investors and on April 10 ordered Karen Enterprises to pay each $US10,000, $US10,000 and $US15,000 respectively, plus court costs of $1000.Mr Grier said the legal action was a "vexatious suit ... as such I did not prioritise responding to it.
"I am saddened that individuals are putting personal vendettas ahead of furthering what could be a very successful project for the Karen people," Mr Grier said.Mr Grier is a convincing speaker who frequently mentions his connections with consular staff, prominent businesspeople and politicians. He shows investors photos with former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. There is no suggestion Mr Turnbull had any knowledge or involvement in Mr Grier's financial affairs.
However, "Dr Sabine Roper" a German, who looks after the bears, says she has not yet been paid, and both the animals and a group of Karen children she looks after have been left high and dry.