Accountant Trevor Thomson from Perth, Australia, has been
sentenced to 13 months in prison after pleading guilty to
committing a A$27m ($23.7m) tax fraud.
Thompson was sentenced by the Supreme Court of Western Australia
for conspiring to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth
between the 1999 and 2001 financial years.
Australian Crime Commission executive director of serious
organised crime Michael Outram said that through the use of false
documents, Thomson deliberately attempted to hide profits generated
by his clients’ businesses and knowingly misled the Australian
Government to ensure his clients did not pay their required
tax.
Tax Commissioner Michael D’Ascenzo said Thomson’s sentence
demonstrates the commission’s expanding ability to trace fund flows
around the world.
“This sentencing sends a clear message to participants and
promoters of complex offshore schemes that they will face serious
consequences if they attempt to deliberately seek to avoid their
obligations to the Australian community,” D’Ascenzo said.
The case forms part of Operation Wickenby, a taskforce
investigating abusive secrecy haven schemes.
Thompson’s jail term was reduced from three years and three
months due to his co-operation with authorities and his guilty
plea.
