George Alex, a construction boss, has been found guilty of conspiring to deal with over $1 million in proceeds of crime. However, he was too unwell to attend court to hear the verdict as a jury continues to deliberate over whether he headed a $10 million tax fraud scheme. Alongside five other men, including his son Arthur Alex, George faced a six-month trial at the NSW Supreme Court in Darlinghurst. Prosecutors alleged that the accused ran a labour hire business with legitimate construction industry clients, including Multiplex, and used a multi-layered approach to pocket pay-as-you-go withholding tax.
The Crown initially alleged that $13.1 million was not remitted to the ATO, but after the jury was directed to disregard specific evidence, this amount changed to around $10 million. George Alex, along with Mark Ronald Bryers, Lindsay John Kirschberg, Gordon McAndrew, and Pasquale Loccisano, had pleaded not guilty to conspiring to cause a loss to the Commonwealth and conspiring to deal with proceeds of crime of $1 million or more. The jury, consisting of nine men and three women, unanimously found George Alex guilty of the proceeds of crime charge. Justice Des Fagan informed the jury of George Alex’s absence and health issues before taking the verdict.
During the trial, George Alex’s son Arthur Alex, who was 26 years old, was cleared of any involvement in the alleged tax fraud scheme. The jury returned verdicts on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, finding Bryers guilty of both charges, along with Kirschberg, Loccisano, and McAndrew guilty of the proceeds of crime conspiracy. George Alex, who was not present in court due to being unwell, faces the consequences of the verdict while undergoing medical treatment. The case involved complex financial transactions and allegations of a conspiracy to defraud the Australian Taxation Office.
The trial has shed light on the alleged criminal activities within the construction industry, specifically related to tax fraud and money laundering using labour hire businesses as a front. The accused are said to have exploited legitimate construction industry clients, such as Multiplex, to funnel money through a network of companies and avoid paying taxes to the ATO. The elaborate scheme involved a revolving door of companies and the manipulation of PAYG withholding tax from workers’ salaries. The jury’s decision to find the defendants guilty suggests a successful prosecution in uncovering the illegal activities and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
Despite George Alex’s absence in court for health reasons, the verdict against him and his co-accused highlights the seriousness of the charges brought against them. The trial at the NSW Supreme Court in Darlinghurst has brought attention to the issue of tax fraud and money laundering in the construction industry, emphasizing the need for increased scrutiny and enforcement measures. The guilty verdicts handed down by the jury demonstrate the commitment to investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, even in cases involving complex financial transactions and conspiracy allegations. The outcome of the trial sets a precedent for holding individuals accountable for their involvement in fraudulent activities that seek to defraud government agencies and evade taxes.
