Bombers supplement saga biochemist Shane Charter slapped with $1 million tax bill
Years since the Essendon supplement saga, biochemist Shane “Dr Ageless” Charter again finds himself in hot water, but this time it’s the taxman knocking at his door.
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Essendon supplements saga biochemist Shane “Dr Ageless” Charter has been slapped with a tax bill of more than $1 million.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the musclebound convicted drug trafficker is being pursued by the taxman after a probe of his affairs found a vast gulf between his declared and his real wealth.
Charter, who with sports scientist Stephen Dank was a key player in the Bombers’ 2012 drama, had a declared income of little over $220,000 between 2012 and 2018.
But his real income in that period was almost $2 million.
In those seven years Charter did not disclose an annual income of above $40,000, yet made more than a dozen overseas trips. In one year, he stated he had no income, despite earning almost $100,000.
The ATO has accused the biochemist of tax evasion and told Charter he believes he has filed misleading returns.
Cash deposits into more than 20 bank accounts have been called into question.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands Charter has been interviewed by auditors about his “unexplained’’ wealth.
Charter, however, said he was up to date on his tax returns and denied he owed the ATO a seven-figure sum.
“I routinely get audited,” he said.
“I’ve been audited for the last 12 years. I’m not sure how random that is. I’d say that’s targeted. I’m up to date with my tax.’’
He said his solicitor was across all of his personal and company tax matters and that he did not want to make the same mistake as Al Capone.
“Make sure your tax is up to date and pay the taxman. You’d have to be stupid to play with the ATO,” Charter said.
Charter has previously been grilled in court over allegations of hiding millions of dollars of assets on behalf of others.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission lists the 52-year-old as a sole director and shareholder in companies AgelessProducts, Ageless IP and Performance Health (Aust).
Charter gained his nickname “Dr Ageless” as he became synonymous with the anti-ageing drugs he pumped through his clinics, such as human growth hormone and peptides.
Among the well-heeled he serviced were sports stars and underworld figures, particularly outlaw bikie gang members. His friends include prominent Mongol bikie Toby Mitchell and former Richmond footballer Jake King.
Charter has also been involved in violent confrontations with flashy underworld figure Fedele D’Amico – known as “Fred Bear’’ – over the disputed control of a waste facility in Melbourne’s outer north.
In 2014 Charter was charged by the Purana Taskforce after an undercover sting into trafficking and possessing steroids. In 2015 he was convicted, but spared jail.
It was reported last month Charter is also in the money lending game, with a company he controls giving an interest-free $1m loan to Global Brands Australia, a firm involved in health and wellbeing products.
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