Reality TV star pleads guilty to corporate charges over $120,000 tax debt

Former Australian Idol host James Mathison has been charged over a $120,000 tax bill. He has pled guilty to corporate charges and could be left with a criminal record. His political career may be at risk.

TV presenter James Mathison has been charged with failing to hand liquidators the financial records from his media company that imploded owing $120,000 in unpaid tax.

The former Australian Idol host has pleaded guilty to two corporate charges that will see him fined a maximum of $17,000 and possibly left with a criminal record.

James Mathison ran for the seat of Warringah in the last election. Picture: Virginia Young

He is due to face Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, where it will be “considered” if Mathison should be subjected to a compulsory examination to extract ­answers from him about the failure of his company, Whitlock Brennan & McCall.

Mathison used the company as a vehicle for his media career between 2013 and 2017 before it went into liquidation in December 2020 owing $120,000 to the Australian Taxation Office, according to company documents lodged with ASIC.

The one-time Channel 10 star was charged after liquidators complained in their ­report to ASIC that the 44-year-old hindered their investigation by not handing over financial books or reports ­detailing the company’s activities and asset holdings.

Mathison, at work on Saturday, declined to comment. Picture: Tim Hunter

His prospective political career is now at risk if the ATO moves to bankrupt him. Rules prevent bankrupts from sitting as members of parliament.

After running against Tony Abbott for the seat of Warringah in the 2016 election, Math­ison campaigned for Zali Steggall in 2019 when she toppled Mr Abbott. He is yet to announce if he will run or be involved in this year’s election.

Mathison declined to speak on the record when contacted yesterday.

According to a report written by liquidator Anthony Warner from firm CRS Insolvency Services in March 2021, Mathison did not assist their efforts to obtain financial records for the company.

James Mathison (right) with Andrew G (now known as Osher Gunsberg) on Australian Idol in 2004.

“My investigations … have been limited at this stage due to a lack of co-operation from the Company’s director (Mathison),” Mr Warner wrote in his report.

“This includes the director’s failure to provide me with the books and records of the company and a completed report on company activities and property. I will now refer this matter to the ASIC and ­request that they prosecute.”

The corporate watchdog charged Mathison in October with failing to submit a report on company activities and property to a liquidator and not delivering company books to a liquidator or revealing their ­location, according to court records.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of $12,000 and $5000 respectively.

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