Olympian Neil Brooks speaks out over alleged $2m business fraud

Olympic swimmer and one-time Seven Network presenter Neil Brooks has spoken out about an alleged $2 million business fraud. WATCH THE VIDEO

Olympic swimmer Neil Brooks and his wife Linda said they were “extremely happy” to “tell their side of the story” as they faced court for an alleged $2m business fraud from over a decade ago.

The couple appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates court on Wednesday, each charged with one count of fraud by dishonestly inducing delivery of property to the value of, or over, $5000.

It’s alleged the couple were directors of a sports clothing manufacturing company which made dishonest representations about the success of the business in order to induce an investor to purchase a stake in it.

Committal for Olympic gold medallist Neil Brooks and wife Linda accused of $2 million fraud. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A number of witnesses took to the stand, including Glenn and Carole Melcheck, who were allegedly induced to invest $2m in the Brooks‘ sporting merchandise business, Adrenaline, which sold tattoo sports skins.

The court heard that in December 2007, the couples were connected through a mutual acquaintance on the Gold Coast where a number of meetings took place before the agreement was signed at the end of January.

The court heard that Mr Melcheck initially told police that in these meetings, Ms Brooks said that she had already “personally signed up” football clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal to be involved in the business.

However, defence lawyer Chris Wilson said the statements couldn’t be ascribed to Ms Brooks before he signed the agreement as she was out of the country for all of January and hadn’t yet met Mr Melcheck face-to-face.

Glenn and Carole Melcheck leave the Magistrates Court in Brisbane. The couple gave evidence in the fraud trial of former Olympic swimmer Neil Brooks. Picture: Dan Peled

Mr Melcheck told the court he had still heard the comments from Ms Brooks at some point in the duration of the business deal, but not before the agreement was signed.

“Not in January but at a later date,” he said.

The court also heard Mr Melcheck paid a deposit in January and the shares were settled in February with 50 per cent to the Melchecks and 50 per cent to the Brooks.

“What I was told is to show good faith, to demonstrate that I was serious about purchasing the business, I would do a $50,000 deposit to purchase the business,” Mr Melcheck said.

In July 2008, there was an “obvious dispute” between the two couples, witness and former employee Amanda Hargreaves told the court, and the company collapsed soon after.

The court heard that Mr Melcheck allegedly withdrew the last $70,000 in the business’ bank account “on legal advice” which prompted the Brooks to sue and the Melchecks were ordered to repay the funds.

The court also heard that Mr Melcheck, along with two other men, were charged and pleaded guilty for public nuisance in 2010 for an incident where Mr Brooks was allegedly assaulted in a car park in Coolangatta.

Neil Brooks outside court. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Wilson alleged that Mr Brooks was approached by Mr Melcheck and two “bikies”, where the two men, who weren‘t known to him, punched in the face and verbally threatened him.

However, Mr Melcheck told the court he had hired the two “debt collectors” to get Mr Brooks to sign withdrawal papers but didn’t see or hear any alleged violence or verbal threats being made as he was standing “far away”.

When asked why Mr Melcheck believed Mr Brooks was bleeding from the face, Mr Melcheck said he saw him “fall” when running away from the men because he “tripped on his thongs”.

The court heard that Mr Melcheck went to Channel 9 in 2012, who later did a story on Mr Brooks, with Mr Wilson alleging that it was done to “hound” Mr Brooks and “damage his reputation publicly”.

When Mr Wilson asked Mr Melcheck why he didn‘t go to the police first, Mr Melcheck said he spoke to an officer at Surfers Paradise “way before that”, however the court heard his written statement was lodged in 2016.

Mr Brooks was previously a Seven Network presenter, won a gold medal in the relay team at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and was a part of the “Mean Machine” team that won gold at 1982 Commonwealth Games.

The Brooks were initially charged in 2017, and the pair have been living in Bali until recently where they run a cafe.

Glenn Melcheke speaks to the media as he leaves the Magistrates Court in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Speaking to media outside the court, Mr Melcheck said he was “happy to have his day in court”.

“All I’d like to do is let the court deal with the matter,” he said.

Prior to the case, Mr Brooks told media outside the court that he was “extremely happy” and “confident” about telling his side of the story in the court of law.

“I’m really confident once people see the evidence and the facts rolled out today with our legal team that I’ll be cleared of all these charges and, at some point, be able to get on with our lives,” he said.