SA mining executive Bob Johnson has assets frozen amid long-running AFP investigation
One of Adelaide’s wealthiest mining executives has had tens of millions of dollars in assets frozen as part of an Australian Federal Police investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
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One of Adelaide’s wealthiest and most prominent mining executives has had tens of millions of dollars in assets frozen as part of a federal police investigation.
Dr Keith Robert “Bob” Johnson has been named as a suspect in a case brought by the Australian Federal Police under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Property, companies, bank accounts and shares from around the world have been frozen for the past four years as part of the investigation.
The AFP has refused to confirm or deny it is investigating Dr Johnson, but an Advertiser investigation has revealed that his assets, ranging across the globe, have been the subject of a restraining order since late 2014.
This restricts his ability to sell assets or use funds in his and several of his companies’ many bank accounts.
He is named as the “suspect” in a Supreme Court action under the Proceeds of Crime Act, however the public has been excluded from attending or even knowing about the case, with orders made that it not appear in court listings. It is believed that Dr Johnson, 71, has not been able to travel internationally during this time.
No charges have been laid.
The Advertiser understands that the case relates to tax management issues, however Dr Johnson’s lawyer has refused to confirm or deny this.
It is also understood that Dr Johnson’s businesses and home were raided by federal authorities as part of the investigation.
Dr Johnson’s assets include interests in properties in London and Byron Bay, shares, term deposits, and a two-thirds share in mining technology company Maptek, which is likely worth tens of millions of dollars.
A company named in the court documents obtained by The Advertiser, and which is subject to the restraining order, is Woolsthorpe Investments Limited. That company is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and is also named in the Panama Papers — the massive leak of documents from Panamanian law firm and corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca.
Over the past month, Dr Johnson, a married grandfather, has refused to respond to multiple calls and messages seeking comment.
His Adelaide-based lawyer, Thomson Geer partner Stephen Voss, also failed to respond to a series of detailed written questions.
An AFP spokeswoman said: “The AFP does not confirm or deny who it may or may not be investigating.”
But live court orders attached to publicly available records regarding a property owned by Dr Johnson’s company, Statsmin Nominees, show that a list of 83 assets is the subject of a restraining order under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The Supreme Court documents, filed on behalf of the AFP Commissioner, include orders that “the property specified ... not be disposed of or otherwise dealt with by any person except in the manner and circumstance specified ... or with the written consent of the plaintiff’’.
“Pursuant to section 18(6) of the Act, the restraining order ... cover all property acquired by the suspect Keith Robert Johnson on or from the date the restraining order is made,” it states.
“The suspect, Keith Robert Johnson is directed to do all things necessary or convenient to enable the Official Trustee to take custody and control of the property referred to.”
The documents state Dr Johnson is directed to provide an AFP agent a sworn statement setting out his assets and interests in assets worldwide worth $5000 or more.
The Advertiser had previously asked the court about the proceedings but the court orders say “the whole hearing and determination be held in a closed court and only court staff and employees of the (AFP) be present during the hearing’’.
The court order is freely available from Land Services SA, however, as it listed as an encumbrance — an order stopping any sale — on the headquarters of Maptek in Glenside, which is owned by Statsmin Nominees.
The case is also not suppressed, with court records showing a summons under the Serious and Organised Crime Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act was lodged by the AFP on November 28, 2014. Since then 10 secret hearings have been held, court records show.
A number of affidavits have been filed including 105 exhibits and six volumes from one AFP officer. The Advertiser is yet to be given access to the court file and affidavits therein.
But an Order of Record shows the matter was “heard in a closed court and only court staff ... the (AFP’s) representatives and (Dr Johnson’s) representatives be present during the hearing’’.
A lawyer for another Adelaide man, a tax expert named in the court documents, was also allowed to be present.
An application to revoke the restraining order was made in March 2015 by Dr Johnson while the AFP made an application for a forfeiture order at the same time.
The restraining order was varied in June 2015 to allow Dr Johnson to use money borrowed from his wife, Gaynor, 65, but the application for it to be revoked was dismissed.
Justice Greg Parker also dismissed Dr Johnson’s bid to subpoena the Australian Crime Commission in mid-2015
After the last hearing in March 2016, Justice Parker granted access to the court file to the tax expert, subject to a confidentiality order.
The court documents list 83 items associated with Dr Johnson including:
A PROPERTY in London, two in Byron Bay, other properties in NSW and one at Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula.
MORE than 10 bank accounts and a share portfolio related to Maptek.
A LARGE number of term deposits.
SEVERAL share portfolios.
ASSETS associated with the companies First Names (Jersey), Woolsthorpe Investments, Fieldgate Holdings, Vulcan Software, Teallach Software, VSI Software and Pierpoint Foundation.
Dr Johnson is among the most successful and high-profile members of South Australia’s mining community, having founded mining technology company Maptek, more than 35 years ago. Maptek claims to employ more than 350 people globally.
Until late 2013 Dr Johnson, a geologist, was also the driving force behind Adelaide-based exploration company Havilah Resources, before abruptly resigning in November of that year.
The Advertiser understands that around this time, the offices of Havilah were raided by the Australian Federal Police.
Dr Johnson recently attempted to oust the current board at Havilah and have his son Peter and others appointed, but was unsuccessful, and was unable to vote his shares during that abortive board stoush.
Recent events indicate that the AFP investigations are ongoing. In June last year, Bendigo lawyer Doug Cahill sought AFP information regarding “proceedings against Mr Robert Johnson”.
The AFP wrote back to Mr Cahill denying his request.
“Unfortunately, the AFP is of the view that the release of any information pertaining to Mr Johnson may impact a current investigation. As such, the AFP will not be releasing any information at this time.’’
Speaking at the family’s 141-year-old $4.25 million Leabrook mansion this week, Gaynor Johnson said her husband would not comment
“He is not interested in talking with The Advertiser, thank you,” she said.
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