FRAUD FIGHT
High-profile lawyer says it is ‘one step at a time’ as details emerge of money laundering allegations
TOP lawyer Campbell MacCallum has vowed to “let the justice system do its work” as the extent of his alleged offending comes to light. The 46year-old – accused of three counts of money laundering and two counts of fraud – faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court for the first time on Tuesday. MacCallum will be accused of facilitating money laundering via lack of supervision of staff working for his Southport-based legal firm. Prosecutors will also allege he committed fraud against Legal Aid Queensland. MacCallum told the Bulletin yesterday he was taking things “one step at a time”. He will appear in court again next month.
I’M GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE IN PARTICULAR MY FAMILY, CLOSE FRIENDS AND COUNSEL FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT
CAMPBELL MACCALLUM
HIGH-profile criminal solicitor Campbell MacCallum has broken his silence on fraud and money laundering accusations levelled against him by the state’s corruption watchdog, saying he’s taking things “one step at a time”, as new details of his alleged offending emerge.
The Gold Coaster faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court for the first time on Tuesday on charges including three counts of money laundering, two counts of fraud, two counts of supplying a dangerous drug and three counts of possessing a dangerous drug.
The charges were laid in December following the Crime and Corruption Commission’s (CCC) lengthy probe into his Gold Coast criminal law firm.
The Bulletin can reveal it will be alleged that MacCallum facilitated money laundering through a lack of supervision of staff working for Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers, based in Southport, and allowed them to breach the Queensland Law Society’s strict AntiMoney Laundering regime.
The CCC previously said in a statement the money laundering allegedly “involved proceeds of serious criminal offences paid by clients for legal services undertaken by the firm”.
Prosecutors will claim the fraud was against Legal Aid Queensland.
It was allegedly committed when MacCallum knowingly enabled clients to submit applications for the taxpayerfunded legal service despite being aware they could afford to pay for his representation in court.
The 46-year-old’s charges were on Tuesday adjourned until February 22.
MacCallum, who is on bail, told the Bulletin following his court appearance he was taking things “one step at a time”.
“I will let the justice system do it’s work,” he said.
“In the meantime, I’m 100
per cent focused on looking after our clients and the team at Moloney MacCallum.
“I’m grateful to everyone in particular my family, close friends and counsel for their love and support”.
As part of the CCC probe, MacCallum was also charged with possessing dangerous drugs in July after CCC officers raided his home.
His partner Nicole Anne Crisp, 38, from Burleigh Heads, was also served a notice to appear to face four counts of possessing a dangerous drug and is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
MacCallum’s first court appearance on the new charges was brought forward by a day at the request of his law
yer, Andrew McGinness. Mr McGinness told Chief Magistrate Judge Terry Gardiner he would have been on leave at the original court date and could not have attended the Brisbane court.
MacCallum will not be required to attend court at the next appearance.