Dank rejected for Legal Aid despite being ‘bankrupt’

FORMER sports scientist Stephen Dank has had his claim for legal aid rejected

Sports scientist Stephen Dank said he can’t afford a lawyer as he is bankrupt.

• Disgraced sports scientist Stephen Dank ‘on thin ice’ in court following fraud, forgery charges
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• Disgraced sports scientist Stephen Dank applies for legal aid as prosecutors gather evidence

FORMER sports scientist Stephen Dank has had his claim for legal aid rejected despite telling the court he was bankrupt.

Mr Dank was charged late last year with fraud and forgery ­offences relating to his time working at Darwin’s Ageless Health Clinic in 2017.

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The matter has been dragging through the courts since, held up because of COVID-19 travel restrictions and problems with legal representation.

Mr Dank’s lawyer, Matt Hubber, withdrew from representing him on Wednesday after being advised his legal aid funding claim was rejected.

Mr Dank then appeared for himself over the phone in the Darwin Local Court from ­Melbourne.

He told the court he couldn’t afford to pay for a lawyer as he was bankrupt.

“They (the NT Legal Aid Commission) didn’t know I was bankrupt even though I submitted everything,” he said.

He said he was now appealing the decision.

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Judge Greg Macdonald adjourned the matter to give Mr Dank time to try to get legal representation.

“It is important you get whatever legal representation you’re able to garner,” Mr Macdonald said.

The matter will return to court on September 23, where Mr Dank will again appear by phone.