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{{distinguish|Frank DeStefano}}
{{Short description|Australian criminal}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox criminal
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Frank de Stefano
| name = Frank De Stefano
| image_name =
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| conviction_penalty = 10 years imprisonment
| conviction_penalty = 10 years imprisonment
| conviction_status =
| conviction_status =
| occupation = [[Accountant]],<br />[[Mayor]]
| occupation = Accountant,<br />mayor
| spouse =
| spouse =
| parents =
| parents =
| children =
| children =
}}
}}
'''Frank de Stefano''' (born 1948) was [[List of mayors of Geelong|mayor]] and councillor of [[Geelong, Victoria]] from 1983 to 1993. In 1988 De Stefano was awarded the [[Order of Australia]] medal for his services to migrant communities. De Stefano resigned from the Order on 2 October 2008].<ref>[http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/596023D7F23E33E8CA2574D7000BF67B/$file/S196.pdf Commonwealth of Australia Gazette - Special No. S196]</ref> In 2003 he was imprisoned for ten years on twelve theft charges totaling A$8,606,101.47.
'''Frank De Stefano''' (born 1948) was [[List of mayors of Geelong|mayor]] and councillor of [[Geelong, Victoria]] from 1983 to 1993. In 1988 De Stefano was awarded the [[Order of Australia]] medal for his services to migrant communities. De Stefano resigned from the Order on 2 October 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/596023D7F23E33E8CA2574D7000BF67B/$file/S196.pdf |title=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Special No. S196 |access-date=11 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629171528/http://www.ag.gov.au/portal/govgazonline.nsf/596023D7F23E33E8CA2574D7000BF67B/$file/S196.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2003 he was sentenced to ten years in prison on twelve theft charges totalling A$8,606,101.47.


==$8.6 million theft==
==$8.6 million theft==
De Stefano operated an accountancy business in Geelong from 1978 until 19 April 2000, when he was asked to report to the Geelong police station. He cooperated with police and detailed his theft of approximately $8 million from clients.
De Stefano operated an accountancy business in Geelong from 1978 until 19 April 2000, when he was asked to report to the Geelong police station. He cooperated with police and detailed his theft of approximately $8 million from clients.


De Stefano was bailed, and on 13 March 2003, later appeared in the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]] for sentencing where he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with a minimum period of seven years.<ref>James Morton and Susanna Lobez (2009), ''Dangerous to Know. An Australasian Crime Compendium'', Carlton, Victory Books, pages 123-124. ISBN 978-0-522-85681-1</ref> Some of those he stole from included Tomislav Papic, a [[quadriplegic]] who was awarded a record A$6 million settlement in a successful lawsuit against the [[Geelong Hospital]]. Justice Kellam referred to the thefts of Papic's compensation payout as "heartless", saying at De Stefano's sentencing hearing,
De Stefano was bailed, and on 13 March 2003, later appeared in the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]] for sentencing where he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with a minimum period of seven years.<ref>James Morton and Susanna Lobez (2009), ''Dangerous to Know. An Australasian Crime Compendium'', Victory Books, Carlton, pp. 123–124. {{ISBN|978-0-522-85681-1}}</ref> Some of those he stole from included Tomislav Papic, a [[quadriplegic]] who was awarded a record A$6 million settlement in a successful lawsuit against the [[Geelong Hospital]]. Justice Kellam referred to the thefts of Papic's compensation payout as "heartless", saying at De Stefano's sentencing hearing,
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
The theft of $4.98 million from Nexus (Geelong) Pty Ltd is particularly callous and cruel. It was a gross breach of the trust reposed in you. You met with Tomislav Papic on numerous occasions. There can be no doubt that you, at all times, were fully aware of the nature of the grievous injuries from which he suffered and the fact that he required the funds achieved by him as compensation for his horrendous accident to achieve any degree of independence and dignity. The theft by you of his funds took away his independence. Clearly, that must have been known by you. Your conduct in relation to this count was in my view heartless. Tomislav Papic died in October 2001. The victim impact statement filed by his father sets out clearly the trauma that he and his family suffered by reason of your theft. I have no difficulty in accepting the statement of his father that the period of time between April 2000 and the time of his death was a "nightmare" for both Tomislav Papic and his parents.
The theft of $4.98 million from Nexus (Geelong) Pty Ltd is particularly callous and cruel. It was a gross breach of the trust reposed in you. You met with Tomislav Papic on numerous occasions. There can be no doubt that you, at all times, were fully aware of the nature of the grievous injuries from which he suffered and the fact that he required the funds achieved by him as compensation for his horrendous accident to achieve any degree of independence and dignity. The theft by you of his funds took away his independence. Clearly, that must have been known by you. Your conduct in relation to this count was in my view heartless. Tomislav Papic died in October 2001. The victim impact statement filed by his father sets out clearly the trauma that he and his family suffered by reason of your theft. I have no difficulty in accepting the statement of his father that the period of time between April 2000 and the time of his death was a "nightmare" for both Tomislav Papic and his parents.
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


De Stefano gambled approximately A$6.6 million during many visits to [[Crown Casino]] in [[Melbourne]] and spending the remainder (approx. A$1.5 million) on personal expenses, including travel, renovations on his Eastern Beach ([[Geelong]]) home and donations to the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]].<ref name=SCV>[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2003/68.html R v De Stefano (2003) VSC 68 (13 March 2003)]</ref><ref name="RiseFall"/>
De Stefano gambled approximately A$6.6 million during many visits to [[Crown Melbourne|Crown Casino]] in [[Melbourne]] and spending the remainder (approx. A$1.5 million) on personal expenses, including travel, renovations on his Eastern Beach ([[Geelong]]) home and donations to the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]].<ref name=SCV>{{Cite web|url=http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VSC/2003/68.html|title=R v De Stefano [2003] VSC 68 (13 March 2003)|accessdate=22 April 2023}}</ref><ref name="RiseFall"/>


De Stefano was charged with twelve charges of theft. He admitted to all counts, totalling over $8 million from clients as follows:
De Stefano was charged with twelve charges of theft. He admitted to all counts, totalling over $8 million from clients as follows:
Line 34: Line 38:
*$4,980,175.07, belonging to company Nexus (Geelong) Pty Ltd, a trust set up to manage the affairs of quadriplegic Tomislav Papic<ref name=SCV/>
*$4,980,175.07, belonging to company Nexus (Geelong) Pty Ltd, a trust set up to manage the affairs of quadriplegic Tomislav Papic<ref name=SCV/>
*$1,450,000, belonging to Global Issues Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$1,450,000, belonging to Global Issues Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$575,307.77 belonging to Norman Williams<ref name=SCV/>
*$575,307.77, belonging to Norman Williams<ref name=SCV/>
*$400,000, belonging to Javni Homes (Geelong) Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$400,000, belonging to Javni Homes (Geelong) Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$309,418.89, belonging to investors, Mr and Mrs Fahey<ref name=SCV/>
*$309,418.89, belonging to investors Mr and Mrs Farey<ref name=SCV/>
*$250,000, belonging to Francesco Mazza<ref name=SCV/>
*$250,000, belonging to Francesco Mazza<ref name=SCV/>
*$245,000, belonging to Donna Murdoch<ref name=SCV/>
*$245,000, belonging to Donna Murdoch<ref name=SCV/>
*$150,000, belonging to Basil's Plasterers Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$150,000, belonging to Basil's Plasterers Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$100,000, belonging to Bendiwi Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$100,000, belonging to Bendiwi Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$92,081.21 belonging to K.L. Consultancy Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$92,081.21, belonging to K.L. Consultancy Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$40,464.06, belonging to Popular Pastimes Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$40,464.06, belonging to Popular Pastimes Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$13,654.47, belonging to Wingrove Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>
*$13,654.47, belonging to Wingrove Pty Ltd<ref name=SCV/>


[[Geelong Football Club]] President, [[Frank Costa]] described De Stefano as a hero to Geelong's Italian community, saying
[[Frank Costa]], who was the [[Geelong Football Club]] president at the time, described De Stefano as a hero to Geelong's Italian community, saying:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
"He was a fellow who did an awful lot of very, very good community work in Geelong, that's why it was such as shock to everybody. He was heavily involved in many forms of community support. He was on the council for many years, he was Mayor, he did an awful lot for migrants coming into Geelong."<ref name=RiseFall>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/07/1044579930578.html The rise and fall of Frank De Stefano]</ref>
"He was a fellow who did an awful lot of very, very good community work in Geelong, that's why it was such as shock to everybody. He was heavily involved in many forms of community support. He was on the council for many years, he was Mayor, he did an awful lot for migrants coming into Geelong."<ref name=RiseFall>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/the-rise-and-fall-of-frank-de-stefano-20030208-gdv6xx.html|title=The rise and fall of Frank De Stefano|date=8 February 2003|website=The Age|accessdate=22 April 2023}}</ref>
</blockquote>De Stefano was released into home detention in July 2009. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathieson |first=Andrew |date=July 16, 2009 |title=Costa urges firms to consider hiring De Stefano |url=https://geelongindy.com.au/indy/16-07-2009/costa-urges-firms-to-consider-hiring-de-stefano/ |website=Geelong Independent}}</ref>
</blockquote>


==Witness in murder trial==
==Witness in murder trial==
De Stefano gave evidence on four occasions as a witness in the committal and trials of [[law clerk]] Julian Michael Clarke in the murder of [[Keith William Allan]]. The first occasion was the committal of Clarke at the [[Melbourne Magistrates Court]] before Magistrate Barbara Cottrell on 3 July 2003.<ref>Karen Matthews, 'Court hears law firm gave man $140k a week with no strings attached,' ''Geelong Advertiser'', 4 July 2003, 3</ref> The other occasions were during Clarke's three trials in the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]]. These were at the first trial before Justice Philip Cummins on 1 March 2004,<ref>Natalie Staaks, 'Man gave De Stefano trust funds, court told,' ''Geelong Advertiser'', 2 March 2004, 3</ref> the second trial before Justice David Byrne on 15 May 2006,<ref>Elissa Hunt, 'Ex-mayor tells murder trial of borrowed cash. De Stefano testifies,' ''Geelong Advertiser'', 16 May 2006, 3</ref> and the third trial before Justice John Coldrey on 2 April 2007.<ref>Simeon Bennett, 'De Stefano link in murder trial,' ''Geelong Advertiser'', 15 February 2007, 4</ref>
De Stefano gave evidence on four occasions as a witness in the committal and trials of [[law clerk]] Julian Michael Clarke in the murder of [[Keith William Allan]]. The first occasion was the committal of Clarke at the [[Melbourne Magistrates Court]] before Magistrate Barbara Cottrell on 3 July 2003.<ref>Karen Matthews, 'Court hears law firm gave man $140k a week with no strings attached,' ''Geelong Advertiser'', 4 July 2003, 3</ref> The other occasions were during Clarke's three trials in the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]]. These were at the first trial before Justice Philip Cummins on 1 March 2004,<ref>Natalie Staaks, 'Man gave De Stefano trust funds, court told,' ''Geelong Advertiser'', 2 March 2004, 3</ref> the second trial before Justice David Byrne on 15 May 2006,<ref>Elissa Hunt, 'Ex-mayor tells murder trial of borrowed cash. De Stefano testifies,' ''Geelong Advertiser'', 16 May 2006, 3</ref> and the third trial before Justice John Coldrey on 2 April 2007.<ref>Simeon Bennett, 'De Stefano link in murder trial,' ''Geelong Advertiser'', 15 February 2007, 4</ref>


Clarke was one of three persons convicted for murdering Allan at the first<ref>http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2004/158.html</ref> and third<ref>http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2007/289.html</ref> trials. The verdict at the first trial was annulled by the Victorian [[Court of Appeal]] owing to a legal technicality.<ref>http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2005/182.html</ref> The second trial was aborted due to a [[hung jury]]. Clarke and the other accused were again found guilty at the third trial. Appeals subsequent to this were all unsuccessful.<ref>http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2009/43.html</ref><ref>http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/HCATrans/2009/336.html</ref> Allan was murdered in May 2000 and his body has never been found.
Clarke was one of three persons convicted for murdering Allan at the first<ref>[https://archive.today/20120730153238/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2004/158.html Court document] </ref> and third<ref>[https://archive.today/20120718034018/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2007/289.html Court document] </ref> trials. The verdict at the first trial was annulled by the Victorian [[Court of Appeal]], owing to a legal technicality.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120721122752/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2005/182.html Court document] </ref> The second trial was aborted due to a [[hung jury]]. Clarke and the other accused were again found guilty at the third trial. Appeals subsequent to this were all unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2009/43.html|title=R v Cavkic , Athanasi & Clarke (No 2) [2009] VSCA 43 (16 March 2009)|access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/HCATrans/2009/336.html|title=Clarke v The Queen; Athanasi v The Queen; Cavkic v The Queen [2009] HCATrans 336 (11 December 2009)|website=www.austlii.edu.au|access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref> Allan was murdered in May 2000, and his body has never been found.


De Stefano told the jury during cross-examination at each trial that he was borrowing large sums of money from Clarke to feed his own gambling addiction, and had met Clarke when frequenting the Crown Casino [[high roller]]s room.<ref>Simeon Bennett, 'Amazing Stories. Geelong True Crime, The Fall of Frank De Stefano. Chapter 3, The Mahogany Room, ''Geelong Advertiser'', 4 January 2007, F9</ref> He said all loans from Clarke were repaid within 24 hours. David Pearson, forensic accountant with the [[Victoria Police]] Major Fraud Group, told the jury that De Stefano was [[laundering money]] via Clarke using a series of round robin financial transactions<ref>http://www.anz.com/edna/dictionary.asp?action=content&content=round_robin</ref> channelled through Allan's trust account totalling $3,75 million. These funds were eventually converted into cheques payable to [[Crown Casino]]<ref>Elissa Hunt, 'Millions taken from law firm,' ''Herald Sun'', 17 May 2006, 24</ref> Much of the money laundered had been replaced, but $140,000 lent to De Stefano was still outstanding.<ref>Elissa Hunt, 'Missing solicitor case: Ex mayor linked to accused,' ''Herald Sun'', 16 May 2006, 12</ref>
De Stefano told the jury during [[cross-examination]] at each trial that he was borrowing large sums of money from Clarke to feed his own gambling addiction, and had met Clarke when frequenting the Crown Casino [[high roller]]s room.<ref>Simeon Bennett, 'Amazing Stories. Geelong True Crime, The Fall of Frank De Stefano. Chapter 3, The Mahogany Room, ''Geelong Advertiser'', 4 January 2007, F9</ref><ref>Emily Webb (2014), ''Murder in Suburbia: Disturbing stories from Australia’s dark heart'', The Five Mile Press, Scoresby, Victoria, p.91. {{ISBN|9781743465288}}</ref> He said all loans from Clarke were repaid within 24 hours. David Pearson, forensic accountant with the [[Victoria Police]] Major Fraud Group, told the jury that De Stefano was [[laundering money]] via Clarke using a series of round-robin financial transactions<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anz.com/edna/dictionary.asp?action=content&content=round_robin|title = Glossary of terms &#124; ANZ}}</ref> channelled through Allan's trust account totalling $3.75 million. These funds were eventually converted into cheques payable to [[Crown Melbourne|Crown Casino]].<ref>Elissa Hunt, 'Millions taken from law firm,' ''Herald Sun'', 17 May 2006, 24</ref> Much of the money laundered had been replaced, but $140,000 lent to De Stefano was still outstanding.<ref>Elissa Hunt, 'Missing solicitor case: Ex mayor linked to accused,' ''Herald Sun'', 16 May 2006, 12</ref>

==Notoriety==

As of March 2007, there is still a street named after him in [[North Geelong]]. This is a rare honour for a living convicted criminal.

==Release==

It was reported in the ''[[Geelong Advertiser]]'' on 23 June 2009 that De Stefano would serve out the remainder of his sentence in home detention.

De Stefano will be released from prison and tagged electronically on 13 July, six months earlier than the minimum term of seven years he was sentenced to.

The Adult Parole Board deemed De Stefano to be a 'suitable candidate' in a hearing held during the third week of June 2009.

The Parole Board disclosed that De Stefano, who was bankrupted whilst in jail, would not serve his home detention in Geelong.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/13/1047431150643.html Former Geelong mayor jailed for 10 years over $9m theft], The Age, 14 March 2003
*[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/13/1047431150643.html Former Geelong mayor jailed for 10 years over $9m theft], The Age, 14 March 2003


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = De Stefano, Frank
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian mayor
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1948
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:De Stefano, Frank}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:De Stefano, Frank}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
Line 93: Line 73:
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mayors of Geelong]]
[[Category:Mayors of Geelong]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Medal of the Order of Australia forfeitures]]
[[Category:Australian white-collar criminals]]
[[Category:Australian white-collar criminals]]
[[Category:People convicted of theft]]
[[Category:People convicted of theft]]
[[Category:People convicted of fraud]]
[[Category:Australian politicians convicted of crimes]]

Latest revision as of 18:07, 28 August 2024

Not to be confused with Frank DeStefano.

Frank De Stefano
Born1948 (1948)
Occupation(s)Accountant,
mayor
Conviction(s)Theft
Criminal penalty10 years imprisonment

Frank De Stefano (born 1948) was mayor and councillor of Geelong, Victoria from 1983 to 1993. In 1988 De Stefano was awarded the Order of Australia medal for his services to migrant communities. De Stefano resigned from the Order on 2 October 2008.[1] In 2003 he was sentenced to ten years in prison on twelve theft charges totalling A$8,606,101.47.

$8.6 million theft

[edit]

De Stefano operated an accountancy business in Geelong from 1978 until 19 April 2000, when he was asked to report to the Geelong police station. He cooperated with police and detailed his theft of approximately $8 million from clients.

De Stefano was bailed, and on 13 March 2003, later appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria for sentencing where he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with a minimum period of seven years.[2] Some of those he stole from included Tomislav Papic, a quadriplegic who was awarded a record A$6 million settlement in a successful lawsuit against the Geelong Hospital. Justice Kellam referred to the thefts of Papic's compensation payout as "heartless", saying at De Stefano's sentencing hearing,

The theft of $4.98 million from Nexus (Geelong) Pty Ltd is particularly callous and cruel. It was a gross breach of the trust reposed in you. You met with Tomislav Papic on numerous occasions. There can be no doubt that you, at all times, were fully aware of the nature of the grievous injuries from which he suffered and the fact that he required the funds achieved by him as compensation for his horrendous accident to achieve any degree of independence and dignity. The theft by you of his funds took away his independence. Clearly, that must have been known by you. Your conduct in relation to this count was in my view heartless. Tomislav Papic died in October 2001. The victim impact statement filed by his father sets out clearly the trauma that he and his family suffered by reason of your theft. I have no difficulty in accepting the statement of his father that the period of time between April 2000 and the time of his death was a "nightmare" for both Tomislav Papic and his parents.

De Stefano gambled approximately A$6.6 million during many visits to Crown Casino in Melbourne and spending the remainder (approx. A$1.5 million) on personal expenses, including travel, renovations on his Eastern Beach (Geelong) home and donations to the Liberal Party.[3][4]

De Stefano was charged with twelve charges of theft. He admitted to all counts, totalling over $8 million from clients as follows:

  • $4,980,175.07, belonging to company Nexus (Geelong) Pty Ltd, a trust set up to manage the affairs of quadriplegic Tomislav Papic[3]
  • $1,450,000, belonging to Global Issues Pty Ltd[3]
  • $575,307.77, belonging to Norman Williams[3]
  • $400,000, belonging to Javni Homes (Geelong) Pty Ltd[3]
  • $309,418.89, belonging to investors Mr and Mrs Farey[3]
  • $250,000, belonging to Francesco Mazza[3]
  • $245,000, belonging to Donna Murdoch[3]
  • $150,000, belonging to Basil's Plasterers Pty Ltd[3]
  • $100,000, belonging to Bendiwi Pty Ltd[3]
  • $92,081.21, belonging to K.L. Consultancy Pty Ltd[3]
  • $40,464.06, belonging to Popular Pastimes Pty Ltd[3]
  • $13,654.47, belonging to Wingrove Pty Ltd[3]

Frank Costa, who was the Geelong Football Club president at the time, described De Stefano as a hero to Geelong's Italian community, saying:

"He was a fellow who did an awful lot of very, very good community work in Geelong, that's why it was such as shock to everybody. He was heavily involved in many forms of community support. He was on the council for many years, he was Mayor, he did an awful lot for migrants coming into Geelong."[4]

De Stefano was released into home detention in July 2009. [5]

Witness in murder trial

[edit]

De Stefano gave evidence on four occasions as a witness in the committal and trials of law clerk Julian Michael Clarke in the murder of Keith William Allan. The first occasion was the committal of Clarke at the Melbourne Magistrates Court before Magistrate Barbara Cottrell on 3 July 2003.[6] The other occasions were during Clarke's three trials in the Supreme Court of Victoria. These were at the first trial before Justice Philip Cummins on 1 March 2004,[7] the second trial before Justice David Byrne on 15 May 2006,[8] and the third trial before Justice John Coldrey on 2 April 2007.[9]

Clarke was one of three persons convicted for murdering Allan at the first[10] and third[11] trials. The verdict at the first trial was annulled by the Victorian Court of Appeal, owing to a legal technicality.[12] The second trial was aborted due to a hung jury. Clarke and the other accused were again found guilty at the third trial. Appeals subsequent to this were all unsuccessful.[13][14] Allan was murdered in May 2000, and his body has never been found.

De Stefano told the jury during cross-examination at each trial that he was borrowing large sums of money from Clarke to feed his own gambling addiction, and had met Clarke when frequenting the Crown Casino high rollers room.[15][16] He said all loans from Clarke were repaid within 24 hours. David Pearson, forensic accountant with the Victoria Police Major Fraud Group, told the jury that De Stefano was laundering money via Clarke using a series of round-robin financial transactions[17] channelled through Allan's trust account totalling $3.75 million. These funds were eventually converted into cheques payable to Crown Casino.[18] Much of the money laundered had been replaced, but $140,000 lent to De Stefano was still outstanding.[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Special No. S196" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
  2. ^ James Morton and Susanna Lobez (2009), Dangerous to Know. An Australasian Crime Compendium, Victory Books, Carlton, pp. 123–124. ISBN 978-0-522-85681-1
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "R v De Stefano [2003] VSC 68 (13 March 2003)". Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b "The rise and fall of Frank De Stefano". The Age. 8 February 2003. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  5. ^ Mathieson, Andrew (16 July 2009). "Costa urges firms to consider hiring De Stefano". Geelong Independent.
  6. ^ Karen Matthews, 'Court hears law firm gave man $140k a week with no strings attached,' Geelong Advertiser, 4 July 2003, 3
  7. ^ Natalie Staaks, 'Man gave De Stefano trust funds, court told,' Geelong Advertiser, 2 March 2004, 3
  8. ^ Elissa Hunt, 'Ex-mayor tells murder trial of borrowed cash. De Stefano testifies,' Geelong Advertiser, 16 May 2006, 3
  9. ^ Simeon Bennett, 'De Stefano link in murder trial,' Geelong Advertiser, 15 February 2007, 4
  10. ^ Court document
  11. ^ Court document
  12. ^ Court document
  13. ^ "R v Cavkic , Athanasi & Clarke (No 2) [2009] VSCA 43 (16 March 2009)". Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Clarke v The Queen; Athanasi v The Queen; Cavkic v The Queen [2009] HCATrans 336 (11 December 2009)". www.austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  15. ^ Simeon Bennett, 'Amazing Stories. Geelong True Crime, The Fall of Frank De Stefano. Chapter 3, The Mahogany Room, Geelong Advertiser, 4 January 2007, F9
  16. ^ Emily Webb (2014), Murder in Suburbia: Disturbing stories from Australia’s dark heart, The Five Mile Press, Scoresby, Victoria, p.91. ISBN 9781743465288
  17. ^ "Glossary of terms | ANZ".
  18. ^ Elissa Hunt, 'Millions taken from law firm,' Herald Sun, 17 May 2006, 24
  19. ^ Elissa Hunt, 'Missing solicitor case: Ex mayor linked to accused,' Herald Sun, 16 May 2006, 12
[edit]
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