Alleged tax fraudster George Alex tested for COVID-19 ahead of bail bid
Construction identity George Alex, accused of spearheading a money laundering scheme that stole more than $17 million in unpaid tax, has been isolated with a respiratory illness while on remand in jail.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Ibrahim’s ‘$1.5 million nest egg’ for his wife
- Alleged ATO fraud syndicate chief prepares to face Sydney court
The alleged ringleader of a $17 million tax fraud syndicate has been isolated behind bars with a respiratory illness.
Construction identity George Alex was arrested in Surfers Paradise last Wednesday and extradited from Queensland to Sydney on conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth and dealing with proceeds of crime charges.
The sick 49-year-old is now being held in isolation at Silverwater prison while on remand, Central Local Court heard on Monday.
“He undertook a COVID-19 swab which came back negative, but he’s still symptomatic,” defence solicitor Abbas Soukie said.
“I haven’t been able to speak with him.”
Alex’s respiratory symptoms will now be closely monitored before he makes a bid for bail next week.
Police allege Alex led a complex money laundering operation that enlisted financial industry experts and former bankers to divert more than $17 million from the Australian Tax Office into private bank accounts.
He was nabbed alongside his son and an all-star cast from the finance and contracting industries last week.
Federal police swooped on 21 locations across NSW, Queensland and the ACT, charging 12 people and restraining $21 million worth of assets.
These included 12 properties, 17 cars, a caravan, a boat and 65 bank accounts.
Caitlin Hall, the 30-year-old wife of jailed underworld figure Michael Ibrahim, and 50-year-old Cheryl Rostron were charged with one count of recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime amounting to more than $1 million.
Ms Rostron’s husband Pasquale “Peter” Loccisano was charged with money laundering, alongside New Zealand man Mark Bryers, who was also charged with conspiring to defraud the Commonwealth.
Police will allege Ibrahim arranged for his wife to receive nearly $1.5 million through overseas shelf companies while he was serving a maximum 30 years in prison for attempting to smuggle almost two tonnes of drugs and millions of cigarettes into Australia.
Ibrahim has not been charged over the alleged tax avoidance scheme.
On Friday Magistrate Robert Williams granted their 69-year-old Queenslander co-accused Kevin McHugh $500,000 bail.
Alex’s 22-year-old son Arthur and 42-year-old Adrian Metly were both granted $100,000 bail while Gordon McAndrew was also released on a $200,000 surety.
Metly is charged with money laundering while Arthur Alex, McHugh and McAndrew are also charged with defrauding the Commonwealth.
All four men must report to police and are banned from going near international airports or contacting any of their co-accused.
Police allege the ring used legitimate labour hire firms to outsource payroll administration to dodgy companies that paid wages and superannuation correctly, but sent money that should have gone to the ATO off to be laundered instead.
When the tax debt for one of these payroll companies grew too large, the company would be abandoned and a new one formed, police allege.
