Four men have been charged today by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) with fraud and money-laundering offences following an 18-month major crime investigation into the activities of a Brisbane-based law firm.
The investigation, codenamed Operation Stockade, culminated when the CCC and Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers executed search warrants at residential addresses across Brisbane this morning. The CCC has worked in partnership with the QPS throughout the investigation.
It will be alleged that some of the men were involved in serious fraud offences against Legal Aid Queensland to a value of approximately $340,000 and fraud involving the failure to comply with the Legal Profession Act 2007 in relation to the requirement to deposit over $765,000 into a trust account. It will also be alleged some of the men laundered the proceeds of serious criminal offences.
A 47-year-old Tarragindi man has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated fraud, fraudulent falsification of records and aggravated money laundering. He has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 22 October 2018.
A 30-year-old Alderley man has been arrested and charged with aggravated fraud. He has been bailed to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 19 November 2018.
A 28-year-old man from Wynnum has been arrested and charged with aggravated fraud. He has been bailed to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 19 November 2018.
A 30-year-old Inala man has been arrested and charged with aggravated fraud and aggravated money laundering. He has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear before the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on 22 October 2018.
More arrests are expected today and tomorrow.
“Operation Stockade has focused on individuals who have allegedly facilitated and supported serious and organised crime. The fact some of these allegations relate to individuals involved in the legal profession is concerning,” CCC Chairperson Alan MacSporran QC said.
“Any fraud committed on Legal Aid Queensland is in my view a fraud on Queensland tax-payers and it has the potential to interfere with the administration of justice.”
As the investigation remains ongoing, and these matters are now before the court, the CCC will not be commenting further.
The CCC is an independent agency combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of the Queensland community.
ENDS
