Judge: Gore’s a no-go

A JUDGE has refused permission for former developer Craig Gore to travel to Sweden, saying there was unacceptable risk he would not return for his fraud trial.

But Brisbane District Court Judge Paul Smith also refused to vary Gore’s bail because of the “very uncertain course” of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.

Gore wanted to fly to Sweden this week, to be reunited with his Swedish-born wife and his children, whom he has not seen since he was last in Sweden in 2018. The former Gold Coast developer, who is facing 12 fraud charges, has residency in Sweden.

“One could understand that once in Sweden, away from the Queensland courts and with his family, he would decide not to come back to Australia, where there is the potential of receiving a significant jail sentence,“Judge Smith said.

Judge Smith said it was reasonable to conclude a head sentence of six to seven years might be imposed if he was convicted of the alleged $800,000 fraud.

He refused to vary Gore’s bail earlier this week and yesterday published his reasons.

He said Gore had also expressed an interest in travelling from Sweden to the United States, where he wished to work on various projects.

Gore said in an affidavit that for the last five years, he had been a consultant to Klasp LLC, a company in California.

He said the company had requested he travel to the US to provide property development advice in relation to a major project in Texas.

He provided a letter from the company president, a friend, who said he was prepared to offer a cash surety of $250,000, if Gore was allowed to fly overseas.

The company president said Gore was working with him on a vodka project, a disposable battery project, a spring water project, and a property project in Texas.

“It is uncertain as to the course this pandemic will take in Europe or the United States,” Judge Smith said. “This may well have a significant impact on the applicant returning to Australia for his trial.”

Judge Smith said he was also concerned about Gore’s whereabouts if he went to the US, given no detailed plans had been put before the court.

“I also note that the vodka project involves stores in California, the battery project involves the USA and the Asia Pacific Region, the spring water project seems to involve Hawaii, and the property development involves Texas,” Judge Smith said.

Judge Smith said next week there would be a pre-trial application, involving the crossexamination of a key Crown witness.

“It is highly desirable the applicant be present for that,” he said.

Judge Smith said Gore also could have a judge-only trial or jury trial this year.

With the case coming towards the “sharp end” of the proceedings, there was a greater risk of Gore failing to appear, he said.

“In conclusion, in light of the forthcoming trial and pretrial hearing, the serious nature of the charges, the extensive ties the applicant has overseas and the fact that COVID- 19 has an uncertain course, I decided to dismiss the applicant’s application,” the judge said.

The fraud charges relate to Gore allegedly obtaining $800,000 from self-managed superannuation fund investors. Gore said in an affidavit that since late last year he had been a consultant to a property development company at the Gold Coast.