Deputy tax chief in big Australia scam
Print Edition
AUSTRALIAN police have smashed a massive fraud syndicate and seized planes, guns, and luxury cars, they said yesterday, with a top-ranking tax official and his son embroiled in the scam.
Nine people were held during raids on homes and businesses across New South Wales state on Wednesday, accused of conspiracy to defraud the government of A$165 million (US$122 million) in one of the biggest ever white collar crimes in Australia.
Australian Tax Office deputy commissioner Michael Cranston faces abuse of power charges and up to five years in jail, while his high-flying son Adam was allegedly among those who masterminded the elaborate scheme. Cranston’s daughter was also reportedly arrested.
“The allegation of the value of the fraud in this conspiracy is A$165 million taken from the taxation system,” said Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Operations Leanne Close, adding that the motivation appeared to be to fund lavish lifestyles.
They were using the scheme “to divert the taxpayers’ money into cars, jewelry, cash, motorbikes.”
Assets seized included A$15 million in cash, two planes, 18 properties, 24 luxury and vintage cars, firearms, artwork and rare wines.
Police claim a legitimate payroll company allegedly funneled wage payments through a series of subcontracted firms, controlled by the syndicate, who then paid the ATO only a fraction of the required income tax. The remaining withheld tax then allegedly flowed into the pockets of the scam’s operators through a complex series of companies and trusts.
Michael Cranston is not accused of being directly involved in the fraud, but allegedly accessed information from ATO systems for his son.
“It appears that his son has asked him to access some information potentially,” said Close.
“We don’t believe that at this point that he had any knowledge of the actual conspiracy and the defrauding.”
Among those arrested, six were charged with defrauding the Commonwealth, while others face money laundering and extortion offenses.
ATO chief Andrew Mills said four other tax officials were being investigated internally.
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