Lawyer and drag racers face charges

A LAWYER, a drag-racing identity and his wife, and another man, who have been charged with fraud and money laundering, have had their cases before a Brisbane court.

David Steven Sorban, John Cannuli, Kirsten Maree Tucker and Tony Cassaniti were charged as a result of Crime and Corruption Commission Operation Mercury last year.

It is alleged the 18-month investigation uncovered fraud against financial institutions and laundering of money from serious criminal offences.

Two Brisbane law firms and businesses and homes in Brisbane and the Gold Coast were raided as part of the investigation.

Sorban, 42, of Ascot, who is a director of two law firms, is facing 94 f r a u d - r e - lated charges and six counts of f money laundering. dering

Sorban was previously charged with another count of money laundering, related to the alleged seizure of $97,000, and 12 counts of supplying a dangerous drug, as a result of the investigation.

Drag-racing identity John Cannuli (pictured), 45, of Helensvale, is facing 103 fraudrelated charges and six counts of money laundering.

His wife, Kirsten Maree Tucker, 37, of Helensvale, who also is well known in dragracing circles, is facing 76 fraud-related charges and two money laundering charges.

Tony Cassaniti, 36, of Helensvale, is facing 14 fraudrelated charges, one count of money laundering and one count of perjury.

The four did not appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, for the first mention of their charges, because court was closed to the public due to the COVID-19 lockdown, but they were represented by lawyers.

Their cases were adjourned until February 8, with all four required to sign bail documents before then.