But, after a three-year battle to see the Queenstown property developer brought to justice, Mr Richards, of Tauranga, is ready to move on.
• Developer should 'count himself lucky': judge
Christian was yesterday convicted on four dishonesty charges relating to property dealings in the United States and sentenced to 150 hours' community work and reparation.
Mr Richards said for him, ensuring Christian was convicted was the most important thing.
‘‘It [the sentence] is a little bit of a joke given what he's put everybody through, but at least we've got a conviction [and] put an awareness out there of his true nature.
‘‘I mean, you're never going to be happy with these things, are you? But ... we haven't let him just get away with it.''
Mr Richards contacted police in 2013 believing Christian had stolen money he contributed for a joint venture in the United States.
The pair met when Christian was a director and shareholder of ‘‘How2'', a company which was part of a joint venture with Buy Low AZ, based in Phoenix, Arizona, working to ‘‘assist individuals wishing to invest in the US property market''.
After joining Christian on a US tour, Mr Richards said he arranged to buy two properties with him.
He paid money for the properties in August 2012, but found out the following month Christian had sold one of the houses to another party - that money was eventually refunded.
In respect of the second property, Christian asked for $US24,500 - the first of three instalments planned - to begin renovations.
When Christian invoiced him for the second instalment, Mr Richards asked to see a progress report.
That was not forthcoming and Mr Richards asked an acquaintance in the US to check on the property, discovering no work had been done.
Ultimately the joint venture failed, Mr Richards bought Christian out and the property was officially transferred.
In the process, Mr Richards noticed documentation Christian had showed him earlier differed to the official settlement statement.
It was then he decided to contact police.
Mr Richards disputed any statement made in court yesterday he and Christian had reached an out of court settlement over money owed.
‘‘My one is a clear-cut $US24,500 that he pleaded guilty to.
‘‘He took [that money] to do renovations which never started and [it was] never refunded.''
Despite still being out of pocket, Mr Richards said he had no plans to take a civil case against Christian.
‘‘We don't think he's got any money.
‘‘If he has, it's well secured away somewhere, with third parties or something like that. We're just moving on now.''
He said his dealings with Christian had not put him off property investment, but he was unlikely to invest again in the US.
‘‘If you want to stay safe, don't get out of bed. You've sometimes got to take your chance - you do the best you can, but occasionally you're going to get caught out.''
The Companies Office website shows Christian is or has been a director or shareholder of 28 companies, 25 of which have been struck off.
He ceased to be a director of two others, which are still operating, days after his name was published in relation to the charges in 2013.
They are Prestige Tours Ltd (formerly Classic Wine Tours Ltd) and Walker USA Ltd.
How 2 Property Ltd, of which Christian is the sole director and one of two shareholders, is being removed from the register.
