Gang-cash lawyer denied parole
Aformer lawyer described as the “architect” of a scheme laundering millions for the Comancheros gang has been denied parole. Andrew Simpson, 43, was jailed for two years and nine months’ in February last year after admitting 13 charges of money laundering.
After Simpson was imprisoned, he was struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors.
He appeared before the Parole Board for the first time this month with the decision released to the Herald yesterday.
Panel Convenor Tania Williams Blyth said Simpson had been a “significant player” in the operation.
“At that time, he was a practising lawyer and the architect of a moneylaundering process designed to generate significant funds for the Comancheros gang,” she said.
“Mr Simpson structured the money-laundering scheme over multiple trust accounts and deposited money himself on occasion.”
Justice Gerard van Bohemen had commented at sentencing that Simpson knew what he was doing was “dodgy”, she said.
Intercepted calls showed Simpson had advised a key money handler in the plot to keep cash deposits under $10,000 to avoid alerting banks, which are obliged to report transactions above that as suspicious.
The Parole Board noted it had received letters of support that referenced Simpson’s Christian beliefs and positive character.
“This is clearly at odds with his dishonest behaviour and significant role as architect and facilitator of the money-laundering scheme,” Williams Blyth said.
The Parole Board also heard he hopes to return to practising law as he claims he is “good at it”.
“This comment fails to recognise that his dishonest behaviour was not that of a lawyer who is good at their job,” Williams Blyth said.
The board was not satisfied Simpson no longer poses an undue risk and parole was declined. His case will be considered again this year.