AJB Stevens Lawyers Sydney raided in alleged sex abuse claim investigation

A law firm raided during a major police investigation into an alleged false sex abuse claim scheme has been identified as one alleged syndicate member applied for bail. The law firm is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Grice is one of several people charged under Strike Force Veritas after police discovered what they allege is a fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claim scheme, which had yielded over $1b in claims to date. Picture: File

A law firm raided in a major police investigation into an alleged false sex abuse claim scheme has been identified, as one alleged syndicate member applied for bail.

Tracey Grice, from Girraween, faced Downing Centre Local Court from custody on Tuesday charged with publishing false or misleading material to obtain financial advantage or cause disadvantage.

Grice is one of several people charged under Strike Force Veritas, including Fotis Antonios, after police discovered what they allege is a fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claim scheme, which had yielded over $1 billion in claims to date.

Grice faced the Downing Centre Local Court from custody. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The alleged fraudulent compensation claims were for historical sexual abuse brought against the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and the NSW Department of Education.

Grice, 58, has not entered a plea.

This publication can now confirm police raided AJB Stevens Lawyers Sydney, which isn’t accused of any wrongdoing. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Court documents state Grice allegedly communicated with co-accused Antonios, 55, between August 14 to August 20 last year.

Grice allegedly provided AJB Stevens Lawyers Sydney with false or misleading material outlining false abuse to obtain financial advantage and be paid by the NSW Department of Education, documents state.

This publication can now confirm police raided AJB Stevens Lawyers Sydney and seized several documents relevant to the investigation.

Neither AJB Law Firm nor its staff are accused of any wrongdoing.

Antonios, also from Girraween, was arrested on February 12 and charged with nine counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, eight counts of accessory before the fact to publishing false misleading material to obtain advantage, three counts of inciting to commit publish false misleading material to obtain advantage and dishonestly intending to obtain a gain.

Police will allege several ‘claims farmers’ coached adults who were former young offenders, inmates, and public-school students to file fraudulent compensation claims for historical child sexual abuse while in care.

The claims were allegedly sent to various Sydney law firms, receiving a benefit for each referral. Detectives suspect a significant portion of the $1.3 billion worth of claims are fraudulent.

During her appearance in court, Grice’s defence lawyer made a release application on her client’s behalf. He said his client had strong community ties and needed to care for her 16-week-old puppy at home.

Police prosecutor Matthew Aylward said Grice had a history of dishonesty-type breaches and the offending involved money coming out of a public fund.

Magistrate Sharon Freund said this was an “unusual case” regarding the publication of false or misleading information.

“She was (allegedly) involved in a sophisticated scheme to defraud,” Ms Freund said. “It was set up for those vulnerable in the community.”

The accused was on an intensive corrections order when she committed these alleged offences, Ms Freund said.

Grice was granted conditional bail and the case was adjourned to March 11.

Antonios has not entered pleas yet and remains bail refused. His case has been adjourned to March 25.