Post by corsair67 on May 6, 2006 17:43:54 GMT 12
Just heard about this story on the 'net. Mr Hart has a TBM (ex-"Plonky") and Sea Fury (ex-ZK-SFR) amongst his collection.
I hope the issue can be resolved without all these beautiful machines having to leave Australia.
Big lesson here - don't piss the ATO off!
AFP helps seize planes, properties and automobile
Tuesday, 18 April 2006
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has today helped seize more than $8 million worth of assets formerly controlled by Brisbane businessman Steven Hart, including a number of historic military aircraft.
Orders obtained from the Brisbane District Court this morning resulted in the forfeiture of the assets to the Commonwealth.
The seizures are a result of a joint investigation by the AFP and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) which found Mr Hart guilty of nine counts of defrauding the Commonwealth and a Queensland offence of misappropriation in May 2005.
AFP assisted members of the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia (ITSA) in taking possession of planes, four aircraft hangars, two residential properties and a farm under the statutory forfeiture provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Following the court orders, AFP agents went to Archerfield Airport and assisted ITSA officers in taking possession of four aircraft hangars and 10 planes. A Mercedes Benz was also seized at the airport.
Two homes in Sunnybank, a property in Grandchester and another aircraft located at Cessnock in NSW were also seized.
AFP Brisbane co-ordinator for Economic and Special Operations Greg Harrigan said the planes alone were estimated to be worth more than $3.5 million.
"The AFP is sending a very clear message to anyone who is benefiting from the proceeds of crime that they will be vigorously pursued," Federal Agent Harrigan said.
Commonwealth legislation stipulates that ITSA take control of the properties and possession of the planes and the automobile.
Mr Hart was sentenced to a maximum seven years imprisonment. He has applied to appeal his conviction in the High Court.
"Mr Hart was marketing tax avoidance schemes, creating false taxation deductions and misappropriating monies to the sum of $1.2 million," F/A Harrigan said.
I hope the issue can be resolved without all these beautiful machines having to leave Australia.
Big lesson here - don't piss the ATO off!
AFP helps seize planes, properties and automobile
Tuesday, 18 April 2006
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has today helped seize more than $8 million worth of assets formerly controlled by Brisbane businessman Steven Hart, including a number of historic military aircraft.
Orders obtained from the Brisbane District Court this morning resulted in the forfeiture of the assets to the Commonwealth.
The seizures are a result of a joint investigation by the AFP and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) which found Mr Hart guilty of nine counts of defrauding the Commonwealth and a Queensland offence of misappropriation in May 2005.
AFP assisted members of the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia (ITSA) in taking possession of planes, four aircraft hangars, two residential properties and a farm under the statutory forfeiture provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Following the court orders, AFP agents went to Archerfield Airport and assisted ITSA officers in taking possession of four aircraft hangars and 10 planes. A Mercedes Benz was also seized at the airport.
Two homes in Sunnybank, a property in Grandchester and another aircraft located at Cessnock in NSW were also seized.
AFP Brisbane co-ordinator for Economic and Special Operations Greg Harrigan said the planes alone were estimated to be worth more than $3.5 million.
"The AFP is sending a very clear message to anyone who is benefiting from the proceeds of crime that they will be vigorously pursued," Federal Agent Harrigan said.
Commonwealth legislation stipulates that ITSA take control of the properties and possession of the planes and the automobile.
Mr Hart was sentenced to a maximum seven years imprisonment. He has applied to appeal his conviction in the High Court.
"Mr Hart was marketing tax avoidance schemes, creating false taxation deductions and misappropriating monies to the sum of $1.2 million," F/A Harrigan said.
