Fraud accused may handle own defence
A FORMER high profile Cairns barrister charged with fraud offences looks set to represent himself in his trial next week with both of his legal representatives set to pull out of the case.
Anthony Mirotsos, 45, is due to go on trial next Monday charged with 46 fraud offences linked to a Smithfield-based development company he cochaired.
Police allege the now Melbourne-based Mirotsos, who is a former president of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, misappropriated about $360,000 from the company Koolmoon Developments Pty Ltd, including $55,000 of construction work done to his Kewarra Beach home.
Concerns around payment of his solicitor and barrister arose last Friday with Mr Mirotsos given a deadline of
Monday to retain them.
He was ordered to appear in court by telephone link yesterday, along with his Melbourne-based barrister Jeffery Levine.
Mr Levine told the court he had “made it very clear” to Mr Mirotsos he would need to be paid in advance to represent him and then sent an email saying he would not be appearing on his behalf.
His solicitor Bernie Carmen also told the court he would be seeking leave to withdraw from the matter as Mr Mirotsos had “failed to comply” with the terms of his retainment.
He was told by Judge Brian Devereaux there were legal rules around his withdrawal considering how close they were to the trial date although he said he “appreciated the difficult position” the lawyers were in.
Mr Mirotsos told the court he had attempted to make arrangements to pay his lawyers, but had believed their fees were due today, not last week.
“It put me under a lot of pressure to bring those arrangements forward,” he said.
Judge Devereaux told Mr Mirotsos his trial was starting on Monday “whether you are represented or not”.
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