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Investigation

This Month

James Zhang’s Ferrari SF90 Stradale worth $1 million.

The secret Ferrari fire sale while dozens are out of pocket

James Zhang lived large. Is he now about to sail off into the sunset?

March

Paul Giezekamp.

He promised big returns. Then millions of dollars disappeared

Paul Giezekamp promised to deliver a fortune developing land into townhouses. Instead, liquidators allege he spent the money on “personal expenditure”.

Rocky Elsom back in 2010 when he was Wallabies captain.

How it all went wrong for Rocky Elsom in the ‘wild west’ of French rugby

The former Wallabies captain faces arrest in France over misusing the assets of his rugby club. But court documents reveal he left the club in its best financial position in years.

Maxim Shanahan and Hannah Wootton on The Fin podcast.

Inside the email scandal that almost broke Slater and Gordon

This week on The Fin podcast, Maxim Shanahan and Hannah Wootton on Slater and Gordon’s workplace meltdown and the mysterious woman at the centre of it all.

Inside Duncan Saville’s billion-dollar Bermuda Triangle

A decade after the ATO hit the reclusive Australian investor with a $189 million tax bill and savaged his character, Canberra is rolling out the red carpet.

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A decades-long rap sheet of deceit blows open Slater and Gordon probe

The woman whose first name matches metadata in the rogue salary and performance spreadsheet that erupted into a crisis at the law firm is a convicted fraudster.

Ben Madsen leaving a Centennial Park home.

The stressful life of Sydney’s left-of-field distressed debt broker

Ben Madsen has long had a low profile. Now he’s found himself the centre of unwanted attention, and is fighting for his home. Can he come back from the brink?

The Sydney Writer’s Festival should primarily be “about inspiring curiosity, a love of reading and an exchange of ideas” but it has increasingly been pressured by some directors and staff keen to emphasise “polarising topics”.

Festival politicking shows why donors are walking away from the arts

The politicisation of philanthropy has led to artists and organisers engaging in their own ideological frolics using other people’s money.

James Thomson and Max Mason on The Fin podcast.

Comeback king: Can Richard White stay in charge at WiseTech?

This week on The Fin podcast, senior reporter Max Mason and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on WiseTech’s tumultuous five months and Richard White’s rebound.

High rates and rising construction costs have exposed troubled loans in the private credit sector.

‘It’s the Wild West’: Why ASIC is worried about private credit

Private credit firms are scrambling to manage problem loans, as the regulator sets its sights on lax governance.

February

Richard White with wife Zena Nasser. The couple married in July.

The billionaire, his lawyer wife – and the secrets of their explosive relationship

Richard White says he would “take a bullet” for his wife but many of the billionaire’s long-time friends are unhappy about the marriage and the couple’s volatile history.

Richard White and wife Zena Nasser.

WiseTech founder exits private property deals as board in crisis talks

Richard White has pulled out of three controversial property developments as WiseTech directors mull governance issues following more allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Meet the accountant linked to Sydney’s most infamous tax scammers

Filomena Kyriacou led an accounting firm that advised clients who avoided millions in tax, dealt with organised crime figures and was linked to some of the most infamous tax scammers in the country.

Caroline Heidemann, a former WiseTech employee, is suing Richard White.

WiseTech founder accused of helping employee for sexual favours

A former employee is suing the billionaire, claiming he engaged in “unlawful conduct for sexual gratification”, but he says the relationship was consensual.

WiseTech Global’s founder Richard White said he would take on an advisory role at the software firm after resigning as chief executive last year.

‘I’ve been too trusting’: Richard White responds to new allegations

The software giant said last year that its founder would enter into a decade-long consulting arrangement. Four months later, they still don’t have a deal.

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January

We made our own meme coin. This is what happened next

Donald Trump has one. So does Melania. Both have created huge paper wealth. With Johnnycoin, we tested just how easy it was to get a meme coin off the ground.

December 2024

The number of ADHD patients and prescriptions in Australia have doubled in four years.

Diagnosed in 10 minutes. Inside Australia’s ADHD industrial complex

Prescriptions for ADHD drugs have doubled in the past four years and private clinics are cashing in. Doctors fear profits are taking priority over patient care.

Andrew Forrest.

Fortescue’s Game of Thrones moment

When the firm’s troubled Iron Bridge mine blew its budget and fell behind schedule, Andrew Forrest called a meeting likened to the series’ “red wedding” scene.

Inside the ‘unending chaos’ at Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue

After a frenetic world tour, the billionaire had to wind back his hydrogen plans. A Financial Review investigation looks at what led to an exodus of executives.

Master Builders Victoria board directors say the employer group is reliant on Incolink for solvency.

How builders got captured by the CFMEU’s $1.2b redundancy fund

Master Builders Victoria’s solvency relies on millions of dollars in grants from the John Setka-backed Incolink fund, which whistleblowers say has created a huge conflict of interest.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/investigation-1qr