Richard Franks, Helensvale, accused of $4.5M money laundering with lawyer Michael Bosscher

A Helensvale training consultant allegedly received payments for helping a high-profile lawyer launder about $4.5 million, a court has been told.

A Helensvale training consultant allegedly received payments for helping a high-profile lawyer launder about $4.5 million, a court has been told.

Richard Franks is accused of opening bank accounts for money, allegedly the proceeds of crime to be deposited.

It is alleged high-profile lawyer Michael Bosscher provided the cash.

Franks, 67, allegedly received money for his role in the money laundering scheme, the Southport Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday.

Helensvale man Richard Franks.

Franks appeared in court via videolink from the watchhouse wearing a white shirt with a multi-coloured check.

Franks has been charged with 29 counts of conducting transactions to avoid reporting requirements and one count of conspiring proceeds of crime for more than $1 million.

Magistrate Dzenitz Balic granted him bail including a number of conditions including he not contact Bosscher or any witnesses, not possess over $10,000 in cash, not hold a passport and not leave the country.

Franks is alleged to be part of a $4.5m money laundering syndicate alongside Bosscher and helped launder the cash from February last year.

Some of the $160,000 seized from a safe at the home of a Helensvale man (pictured). Photo - AFP

It is alleged Franks used personal information from clients at a consultancy business to open fraudulent bank accounts, in the name of some of the clients without their knowledge.

Bosscher allegedly supplied millions of dollars, suspected to be the proceeds of crime, to be deposited into the bank accounts in an attempt to avoid detection.

Bosscher has been charged with conspiring to deal in the proceeds of general crime and at the time of dealing the value of the money or property was $1 million or more.

Police alleged they found more than $160,000 in cash in a safe in Franks’ Helensvale home.

Australian Federal Police also found $70,000 in cash in two safes hidden under the stairs and a cash counter at a Bardon premises.

Magistrate Balic said it appeared from documents provided to her that the allegations had stemmed from Franks’ relationship with Bosscher.

“A bank account was opened in a name and it was used as a bank account for money to flow through,” she said.

The $70,000 seized from two safes hidden under stairs and a cash counter at a Bardon home (pictured). Photo - AFP

She said the documents indicated they had known each other both personally and professionally for years and that police had recorded them meeting, including at coffee shops.

“There is evidence that Franks has profited from Mr Bosscher in circumstances where he has received moneys moved into his bank account,” she said.

“All leading to the inference of him working with Mr Bosscher.”

Defence lawyer Dan Rawlings, of Rawlings Criminal Law, said Franks operating a training company, NSTA, which included providing training for security and aviation industries.

He said Franks was likely to lose his firearms training licence and security licence.

Mr Rawlings said although Franks had immigrated to Australia from England as a child and previously lived in Vanuatu he had strong ties to the community.

He said Franks’ business interests were all in Australia, he had three children and nine grandchildren and a wife in Australia.

Mr Rawlings said Franks was also willing to surrender his Australian and United Kingdom passports.

He said that Franks had no previous criminal history.

Bosscher appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he was also granted bail.

Neither Franks nor Bosscher have entered a plea.

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Originally published as Richard Franks, Helensvale, accused of $4.5M money laundering with lawyer Michael Bosscher