Another setback for Oz crime body into tax probe

Only weeks after the Australian Crime Commission bungled its case against Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan for alleged tax evasion, its NSW arm has also suffered an embarrassing legal setback.

An attempt to freeze 50 bank accounts connected with Robert Agius, an Australian and former PKF Vanuatu accountant, allegedly involved in a $A100m (£42m) money laundering scheme, has been quashed.

The NSW Court of Appeal ruled the commission could not freeze the accounts because the Australian Federal Police agent who arrested Agius in Perth last April did not provide enough information about Agius's alleged criminal activities.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald has learned the commission has since obtained restraining orders under different legislation enabling the accounts to remain frozen.

Further reading:

Hogan scores major win in tax fight

Aussie accountant arrested in high profile tax racket

Read the Sydney Morning Herald story