Top Australian tax official caught up in son's alleged fraud

[nitpicker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-39946126

Top Australian tax official caught up in son's alleged fraud

7 hours ago

From the section Australia

One of Australia's most senior tax officials will be charged with abusing his position after being caught up - possibly unwittingly - in a major fraud conspiracy, police have said. Michael Cranston, an Australian Tax Office deputy commissioner, has been issued a court attendance notice. His son, Adam Cranston, is one of nine people charged with defrauding A$165m (£95m; $122m) from the government.

Michael Cranston is not believed to be a conspirator, police said. "It appears that his son has asked him to access some information potentially," Australian Federal Police (AFP) deputy commissioner Leanne Close said on Thursday.

The tax official's son, 30, was arrested on Wednesday along with eight others when police raided 28 homes and businesses in the state of New South Wales. Police said the alleged syndicate had prompted one of the biggest white-collar fraud investigations in Australian history.

The scheme allegedly operated by offering payroll services to clients who wanted to meet their tax obligations. Payments were ultimately funnelled into companies run by the conspirators, who siphoned money to fund their own "lavish lifestyles", police said. "They were using it to divert the taxpayers' money into cars, jewellery, cash, motorbikes," Ms Close said. Other items seized included 18 houses, 25 cars, two planes, firearms, and vintage wines.
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((Crooks not just for US...))