Vic: Theophanous may face new charges

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2004
Vic: Theophanous may face new charges

MELBOURNE, Aug 4 AAP - Disgraced former federal MP Andrew Theophanous was back before
court today as lawyers argued over whether he would face new charges relating to immigration
matters.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking to lay three new charges
of attempting to defraud the commonwealth and retry one count of receiving $4,000 for
providing immigration assistance without being a registered immigration agent.

The bid was before the Victorian County Court today as the prosecution applied for
a time extension to file the indictment, which is required under the Crimes Act.

The latest proceedings arise from material relating to charges over which he was jailed.

The one-time parliamentary secretary in the Keating government was found guilty by
a jury of abusing his powers for cash and seeking sexual favours in return for help and
advice in making false representations on visa applications and other immigration matters.

In June 2002 he was jailed for six years with a minimum of three-and-a-half years after
being convicted on one count of conspiracy, defrauding the Commonwealth and two counts
of bribery.

A subsequent Supreme Court appeal quashed the conspiracy conviction and reduced his
minimum term to 21 months. He was released on February 5 this year.

Judge Michael Strong is expected to give a verdict on the application on August 16.

AAP rb/gfr/bes/bwl

KEYWORD: THEOPHANOUS

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