Gerald Shirtcliff
Construction Manager for the CTV Building.
Stella Cheersmith
Gerald Shirtcliff was the Construction Manager for Williams Construction, the company that built the CTV building between 1986 and 1987. Shirtcliff's credentials were questioned when a media investigation of his background revealed he had assumed the identity of an engineer called William Fisher to obtain his Master's degree in New South Wales. Shirtcliff was living in Australia at the time of the earthquake and gave evidence at the Royal Commission via video link, claiming he had very little to do with the construction of the CTV building.
History:
- Christchurch Press 15 September 2012: Section A, Page 1 | "CTV Builder's lies exposed." - Provides a good overview of Shirtcliff’s history, namely the identity theft of engineer Will Fisher which he used to obtain a Master's degree in Australia. Shirtcliff denies these accusations and claims he changed his name by deed poll after a “family rift”. Continued on Page 2.
- Christchurch Press 15 September 2012: Section C, Page 2 | "A LIFE OF LIES." - A more detailed article that covers Shirtcliff’s work history, his business ideas, and his tendency to lie and deceive. Continued on Page 3.
Credit: The Press, Fairfax Media New Zealand. Source: https://quakestudies.canterbury.ac.nz/store/object/17985
Resources:
- Christchurch Press 26 June 2012: Section A, Page 2 | "Witness's reluctance to appear disappoints." - Brief article that covers the early stages of the Royal Commission of Inquiry, during which Shirtcliff declined to appear at the hearing.
- Christchurch Press 27 June 2012: Section A, Page 1 (South Island Edition) | "Absent witness guilty of fraud." - Details Shirtcliff’s conviction for fraud when he was living in Christchurch in 1997. Shirtcliff forged GST documents to sell his failing automotive business to an investor from Queenstown.
- The Star 29 June 2012 (Page 3) | "Shirtcliff to give evidence." - An update on the Royal Commission of Inquiry stating that Shirtcliff has agreed to give evidence in the hearing via video link. The article includes Shirtcliff’s statement.
- Christchurch Press 9 August 2012: Section A, Page 2 (Christchurch Edition) | “My role was limited – Shirtcliff.” - Reports on Shirtcliff’s appearance before the Royal Commission (via video link) and the evidence he gave. Shirtcliff claims he only appeared on the CTV site about once a month during its construction. Another article on this page, titled “Witness at loss when asked about identity,” details Shirtcliff’s behaviour when answering questions at the hearing, particularly about his identity and the two names he has used in the past.
- Christchurch Press 28 November 2012: Section A, Page 5 | “CTV ‘engineer’ stripped of his fake degree.” - Outlines the investigations into Shirtcliff’s education and work history across New Zealand and Australia. These investigations have resulted in the stripping of his Master's degree from New South Wales University, and Engineers Australia cancelling his membership.
- Christchurch Press 11 December 2012: Section A, Page 4 | “Govt to look to courts in collapse.” - This large article covers the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry, including that Shirtcliff had “serious issues” with his credibility and “simply did not spend sufficient time on site in order to adequately perform the role of a construction manager.”
Credit: The Press, Fairfax Media New Zealand. Source: https://quakestudies.canterbury.ac.nz/store/object/222820
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