Former Billabong boss Matthew Perrin parties after release from jail

Fallen former Billabong boss Matthew Perrin is clearly enjoying his new found freedom after being mysteriously released from jail at least a full year early – but has hinted someone else may now be in the firing line.

DISGRACED business tycoon Matthew Perrin is celebrating his new-found freedom while issuing a cryptic warning that someone else is about to go down.

Perrin, the former Billabong boss once worth more than $150 million, was last week mysteriously released from jail at least a full year early after he was found guilty by a jury in 2017 over a multimillion-dollar fraud.

After being photographed earlier in the week relaxing at cafes and pumping iron at the gym, yesterday he let his hair down with friends and family at a boozy party on the Gold Coast.

His early release, engineered after a secret Supreme Court hearing in Brisbane, came as the two people whose signatures he was convicting of forging — his own brother and ex-wife, were out of the country on holidays of their own.

Perrin was seen crossing the road near his party drinking from a can.

Two of Perrin’s three children joined him at a backyard party yesterday along with close friends and other family members.

The party came just days after the one-time multi-millionaire was reportedly abused by drinkers at a Gold Coast nightspot.

Mystery surrounds the circumstances of Perrin’s early release, but according to a family friend, he expects authorities to start looking at new targets.

“He said ‘I’m out and someone else is going in’,” the source said.

Perrin has so far refused to comment on the terms of his release.

Just over two years ago Perrin was found guilty of forging the signatures of his brother and ex-wife in 2008 to secure a $13.5 million loan against a family property.

He was sentenced to eight years’ jail.

Even with good behaviour, he should not have been eligible for parole until June 20 next year, but a secret court hearing fast-tracked his release.

In some instances, convicted criminals can receive reduced penalties for co-operating with authorities.

Matthew Perrin’s party on the Gold Coast was clearly a boozy affair.

A guest arrives in a jacket with the words 'Italian Stallion' on the back.

Other reasons can include health of a particular person, family reasons, personal reasons, whether they’ve co-operated with legal and law enforcement agencies, as well as their behaviour and participation in rehabilitation programs.

Perrin’s ex-wife Nicole Bricknell, who testified against him during the explosive fraud trial, is in Europe on holidays with the couple’s eldest daughter and has been reluctant to comment on his release.

However, she said her children were happy that their father was out from behind bars.

“My kids are happy and I’m happy for them,” she said.

Perrin was a one-time business boy wonder who made a $150 million fortune during his time as CEO of surf giant Billabong during the early 2000s.

However, after a string of failed investments he was declared bankrupt in 2009 and his conviction for fraud completed a stunning fall from grace.

Originally published as Former Billabong boss Matthew Perrin parties after release from jail