Alex Breingan, producer and owner of a group of failed TV production companies—currently in receivership and under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office—has been linked to a new alias and a slew of fresh projects in the United States.
He is also under scrutiny by MBIE’s Integrity and Enforcement unit, a government business agency.
Alex Breingan, of Stripe Studios, has been associated with the alias Darci Penn on IMDb. Initially, Penn’s biography described her as a “dynamic television and film producer from Los Angeles, celebrated for her innovative contributions to both non-scripted TV and scripted film.”
The biography further praised Penn’s talent for storytelling, stating, “With a unique ability to craft compelling narratives, Darci has become a notable figure in the entertainment industry, known for her original formats and deeply personal storytelling.”
However, outside of IMDb, there is no significant record of Darci Penn having produced, directed, or written any film or television projects.
Just recently, the IMDb biography was revised to include Breingan’s own CV, listing 30 credited titles, many produced through Stripe Studios in New Zealand. The updated biography now states that Darci Penn is also known as Alex Breingan, Alex B, and another previously reported alias, A.J. James.
According to the profile, Penn has nine projects in development, including a feature film titled Doing it for the Money—“the true story of an all-American nightmare”—and Queens of the Court, which follows “the lives, loves, and dramas of California’s hottest new Pickleball club.”
Breingan, who still owns property in Auckland, has been spotted in Los Angeles in recent months.
As managing director of Auckland-based Stripe Media, Breingan’s company—along with 12 related entities—has entered receivership. Creditors, including Kiwibank, Fulcrum Media Finance, and American TV stars David Hasselhoff and Iliza Shlesinger, are owed over $20 million. The receiver’s investigations have reportedly uncovered “irregularities” in the company’s finances, which have been referred to the relevant authorities. This follows a referral to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) by the NZFC last year. While the SFO confirmed receiving a complaint from the NZFC, it has not disclosed whether it is investigating Stripe.
According to The NZ Herald, there is also a new probe into Breingan by MBIE’s Integrity and Enforcement team.
“[The Integrity and Enforcement team] is currently investigating Alexander James Breingan’s suitability for prohibition pursuant to section 385 of the Companies Act 1993,” said Vanessa Cook, National Manager, Criminal Proceeds Integrity and Enforcement.
This section of the Act allows for the prohibition of directors who have had companies fail due to mismanagement.
Cook confirmed that Breingan is the director of 13 companies currently in receivership. “Mr. Breingan is not currently disqualified from being appointed as a director of a company,” she said.
The Companies Act outlines the grounds for disqualification, and receivers are obligated to report any serious offenses they uncover to the Registrar of Companies or relevant agencies, including the New Zealand Police.
“While Mr. Breingan is already under consideration for prohibition, if further breaches of the Companies Act are identified, enforcement action will be considered in line with our approach,” Cook added.
