Homes in affluent Sorrento, Sandringham searched in PwC tax leak probe

Federal police have searched homes in the well-heeled coastal Victorian idylls of Sandringham and Sorrento in relation to the PwC Australia tax leak scandal.

Federal police have searched homes in the affluent suburbs of Sandringham and Sorrento in relation to the PwC Australia tax leak scandal.

AFP Acting Commissioner Ian McCartney revealed new details about Operation ALESIA, which centres on the alleged disclosure of confidential information by a former partner of PwC Australia, while giving evidence a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday.

It comes after the police on Monday raided the consulting giant’s Sydney headquarters in Barangaroo.

A property in well-heeled Sorrento has been searched as part of the PwC tax leak probe.

Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“The AFP has made significant advancements, despite this being a complex investigation, made more complicated by the historic nature of the alleged offending, the existence of derivative use immunity connected to other investigations, and legal privilege,” Mr McCartney said in his opening statement.

“In August, the AFP executed two search warrants at residences in Sandringham and Sorrento, Victoria.

“I am proud of what the AFP is achieving.”

The PwC Building in Sydney’s CBD. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Detectives are expected to spend several days examining documents and computers during the arranged visit to PwC’s Barangaroo office.

The investigation was launched following alarming revelations that PwC partners used information from confidential Treasury briefings to help companies avoid new tax laws and attract new clients.

The findings came after PwC’s former head of international tax Peter Collins was suspended by the Tax Practitioners Board.