The NSW Police have commenced an investigation into Forum Finance and director Bill Papas, which have been accused by Westpac, French investment bank Societe Generale and Japanese bank SMBC of a $400 million fraud.
Liquidators for Forum Finance have won court approval to sell a $1.2 million Mangusta luxury yacht as well as 12 properties owned by various companies within the Forum Group.
Law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has rejected findings of dishonesty, deceit and abuse of process in seeking to overturn a $160,000 judgment against it, saying it had no “evil intent” in litigating a long-running dispute with former partner Thomas Martin.
A former Norton Rose Fulbright partner locked in a six-year legal battle with the firm has urged the Full Court to allow a $160,000 damages award in his favour to be recalculated, saying it did not provide enough “sting”, amounting to just $1,500 per partner.
Westpac has released further details of its fraud claim against Bill Papas, founder of the Forum Group of Companies, painting a picture of an elaborate scheme to misappropriate $254 million to buy real estate, jewellery, luxury cars, racehorses and European football teams.
Westpac has told the Federal Court it has “grave concerns” about Forum Group founder Bill Papas’ evidence of his assets, contained in affidavits lodged on Thursday after weeks of non-compliance with a judge’s orders.
The director of the Forum Group companies accused of a $360 million fraud involving at least three major banks can’t return to Australia from Greece because he has COVID-19, his lawyer has told the Federal Court.
A judge has awarded $43 million to National Australia Bank in its lawsuit against former directors of failed retailer Dick Smith, but threw out claims against company directors brought by HSBC and the retailer’s receivers.
A judge has urged parties in a class action against Westpac over superannuation fees to hold an in-person mediation, saying that success rates have “plummeted” during the COVID-19 pandemic as more settlement talks are held virtually.
Thousands of Indonesian seaweed farmers have won a class action against PTTEP Australasia over one of Australia’s largest oil spills, with a judge finding the oil exploration company breached its duty of care to the farmers and damaged their livelihoods.