10 stories this week:
Corporate adviser Anthony Torre charged with ripping almost $2 million from client – 17 June 2022
Mr Anthony Paul Torre appeared at the Perth Magistrates Court charged with eight counts of fraud and five counts of stealing pursuant to sections 409 and 378 of the Criminal Code (WA). It is alleged that Mr Torre stole, or with intent to defraud obtained, approximately $1.882 million from his clients and used the funds from his clients’ accounts for his own benefit.
https://regulatory.news/anthony-torre-charged-with-stealing-and-fraud/
Tax office and federal police conduct raids over billion-dollar tax scam spread on TikTok and Facebook – 17 June 2022
Tax officers and federal police have raided a dozen locations across Australia in the past three days, as part of an investigation into a billion-dollar tax scam that has gone viral on social media. The number of people involved now is about 70,000, with the ATO investigating $850m in payments to 40,000 people.
Transport company fined $89,000 for breaching fatigue management laws – 17 June 2022
JSS Logistics Pty Ltd, a transport service company has been fined a total of $89,000 after being convicted on 24 charges under the State’s workplace fatigue management laws. The audit found the company’s drivers did not have the rest breaks and non-work time required by the regulations, and that the required records were not kept to the standard required by law.
https://www.miragenews.com/transport-company-fined-89000-for-breaching-802950/
One word saves Perth man’s $6m fortune from being stolen by hackers – 17 June 2022
Business email compromises, have “exploded” over the last two years against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. A Perth businessman nearly lost $6 million to hackers but one misspelt word saved his fortune from falling into the wrong hands and disappearing forever.
Corporate culture, not ‘bad apples’ to blame at Star, inquiry told – 17 June 2022
An inquiry into the ability of the Star Sydney to hold a casino licence, has revealed that it has failed to realise the effect of its terrible corporate culture. The NSW gaming regulator is hearing submissions from lawyers on behalf of witnesses at the long-running inquiry, which has probed allegations of money laundering, organised crime, fraud and foreign interference at Star and its Sydney venue.
Access to digital version of SMH required to read article
Aussies have lost over $205 million to investment scams, says ACCC – 17 June 2022
The ACC says that since the start of the year, Australians have lost over $205 million to investment scams. That’s a 116% increase on the same period last year. In 2021, Australians lost over $320 million in scams in total, with the majority of the monetary loss coming from investment scams-about $177 million-and dating scams-about $56 million. Article also lists how to spot a scam.
https://mozo.com.au/family-finances/aussies-have-lost-over-205-million-to-investment-scams-says-accc
50 businesses under investigation by FWO – 22 June 2022
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker has announced the regulator’s strategic priorities for the year ahead, include investigating large corporate underpayments. Currently 50 large corporates have self-reported non-compliance and since mid-2021, they have commenced court actions against Woolworths Group, Commonwealth Bank and Coles. http://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/50-businesses-under-investigation-by-fwo
https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/uni-wage-theft-investigation-welcome-sign/
Paul Whyte corruption hearing told he started charging for fake services two days after being hired – 22 June 2022
Paul Ronald Whyte, a senior public servant who perpetrated one of the biggest rorts of taxpayer funds in recent Australian history, invoiced a company for work never provided on his corporate credit card. The commission is examining how a person in such a senior position as Whyte, was able to systematically defraud the state to such an extent and whether the governance of the department had contributed to or enabled it.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-22/graham-searle-testifies-at-paul-whyte-ccc-hearing/101172634
NT ICAC failed to offer procedural fairness to Darwin Turf Club board member in investigation into $12 million grandstand grant, court finds – 23 June 2022
The Northern Territory’s anti-corruption watchdog failed to offer procedural fairness to board member Damien Moriarty, before making findings of improper conduct in a major corruption investigation. Findings were over the handling of a $12 million government grant for the new facility at Darwin’s Fannie Bay racecourse.
Mining companies accused of corporate failure in shocking WA FIFO sexual harassment report – 23 June 2022
A West Australian parliamentary committee has urged the state’s resources sector to consider a register for perpetrators of serious sexual harassment on fly-in, fly-out sites similar to a working with children check. It was one of 24 recommendations made by the parliamentary inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the mining industry, triggered after a spate of alleged sexual assaults on WA FIFO workers.
Access to digital version of SMH required to read article
