FED:Accounts exec ordered to pay $14m to govt

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2010
FED:Accounts exec ordered to pay $14m to govt

BRISBANE, Dec 2 AAP - A former accounts executive has been ordered to pay the federal
government more than $14 million in alleged proceeds of crime.

Former director and tax agent Steven Irvine Hart from accounting group Harts Fidelity
Ltd was convicted in the Brisbane District Court in May 2005 of nine counts of defrauding
the Commonwealth in 1990 and 1991.

During his trial, the court was told the offences occurred during Hart's promotion
to clients of investment schemes which would minimise tax.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) also alleges that Hart committed
further similar offences for which he has not been charged.

Hart denies the allegations.

In a lengthy hearing in 2009, the CDPP took Hart to the Brisbane District Court in
an attempt to seize the benefits he made from the nine offences for which he was convicted.

They also sought to freeze up to $18 million they claim he made during the further
alleged offences.

But in a judgment published on Thursday, Judge David Andrews ordered Hart pay the CDPP
$14,757,287 under the Commonwealth Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

AAP cf/crh/msk/cdh

KEYWORD: HART

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