Former ATO boss Michael Cranston hopes for ‘quick resolution’ to case

The former deputy commissioner of the ATO says he’s hoping for a “quick resolution” to two charges of abusing public office.

Former Australian Tax Office Deputy Commissioner Michael Cranston. Picture: AAP.

The former deputy commissioner of the Australian Taxation Office, whose son is alleged to have masterminded one of the country’s largest tax frauds, said he’s hoping for a “quick resolution” to two charges of abusing public office.

Michael Bede Cranston, 58, spoke briefly for the first time after he was this morning committed to stand trial in the NSW District Court.

“Really happy the process has started,” he said, “and hoping for a quick resolution.”

Mr Cranston, who was once one of the country’s most senior tax officials, was issued with a court attendance notice in May last year as his son Adam Michael Cranston was charged over an alleged payroll scheme that defrauded the Commonwealth of $165 million.

It’s alleged that on two occasions he “used information obtained in their capacity as a Commonwealth Public Official as a Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Taxation Office and did so with the intention of dishonestly obtaining a benefit for another person, Adam Michael Cranston.”

Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson this morning asked Mr Cranston to stand in a Downing Centre Local Court. “I’ve committed you to stand trial in the Sydney District Court,” she said. “Your next appearance will be on the 9th of March.”

More than 90 binders of documents are in the brief of evidence, which has been finalised and given to the more 10 people arrested over their alleged roles running an elaborate scheme involving Plutus Payroll.

John Laxon, acting for Mr Cranston, said last year there was an “oppressive” amount of material given his client has a very peripheral link to the investigation.

“To be served with 90 volumes is oppressive,” Mr Laxon said.

“I might ask for a direction that the DPP supplies what evidence they’re relying on … 90 volumes is only part of the brief.” Mr Cranston’s case, he said, involved “less than 1 per cent” of the documents.

Lauren Anne Cranston, another of Mr Cranston’s children, was also charged over her alleged involvement.

Adam Cranston, centre, son of former ATO deputy commissioner Michael Cranston. Picture: Brianne Makin.

Plutus Payroll was responsible for paying payroll and other taxes for a number of large businesses, but is accused of siphoning a percentage from the ATO and disguising the transactions through small, second-tier businesses nominally run by “straw” directors.

An eight-month investigation, named Operation Elbrus, culminated in raids involving more than 290 Australian Federal Police officers in Sydney, Wollongong and the Southern Highlands.

Expensive cars, cash, watches, properties and guns were seized in the raids.

Mr Cranston will face his first mention in the District Court on March 9. A number of those accused of running the fraud will face court on March 13.