Australia seeks extradition of accountant

By Harry McRandle

A JERSEY accountant has been arrested in connection with an alleged multi-million tax fraud in Australia.

Philip Eric de Figueiredo (56) appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in relation to extradition proceedings launched by the Australian Crime Commission. He was released on £100,000 bail. The States police confirmed that he was arrested at his St Martin home. He was ordered to surrender his passport, not leave the Island without the permission of the court, report to police on a daily basis and reside at his home address.

Mr de Figueiredo’s next court appearance will be on 12 January. The Australian government is seeking to extradite Mr de Figueiredo on charges related to tax fraud and money laundering.

Detective Sergeant Lee Turner of the States police said that the arrest and court appearance was the beginning of the extradition proceedings. There were no charges as it an application to the court for extradition proceedings and therefore no plea was required to be entered. The Australian authorities now have four weeks to submit a formal extradition request to the Attorney General’s office.

Pictured: It is reported that cricketer Allan Border’s finances are under close scrutiny as part of the Australian fraud investigation, named Operation Wickenby

Article posted on 2nd January, 2009 - 2.59pm

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