Former police officer beats charges of insurance fraud

For the second time in two years, former police officer Beaudie Cullen has had charges against him dismissed with costs with the assistance of Paul McGirr solicitor.

The most recent charges alleged that Mr Cullen had lodged a fraudulent insurance claim in respect of a laptop and headphones valued at $1400, however Magistrate Covington ruled that Mr Cullen had no case to answer after police had failed to investigate a number of matters, including the possibility that Mr Cullen had more than one laptop or set of headphones.

The outcome follows an earlier set of charges against Mr Cullen related to storage of ammunition in 2016 which were also dismissed with costs, again owing to poor police investigations.

The Daily Telegraph

 

Man fails to appear for sentencing in tax fraud case

A GOLD COAST businessman convicted of a multimillion-dollar tax fraud and his wife have been rushed to hospital after he failed to front court.

Michael John Issakidis, 73, was found guilty this year of an elaborate $68 million tax evasion racket and was due to attend his sentencing hearing in Sydney.

When he failed to appear in court, police visited his Sovereign Islands mansion and had to call in a locksmith to access the heavily-secured home. They are believed to have found Issakidis and his wife Donrecka unconscious in a vehicle in the garage.

Michael Issakidis was due to appear for sentencing.

Paramedics were called to the home about 5.15pm and rushed the Issakidis’ to Gold Coast University Hospital. Detectives have been called in to investigate, with the home declared a crime scene.

Mr and Mrs Issakidis were believed to be conscious but in a serious condition.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/tax-fraudster-fails-to-appear-for-sentencing-in-68m-evasion-case/news-story/4acca95b8230837cd0f385633716a0b1?nk=12529b7bf354b574c0e3436c6a5774bc-1509848251

Paul McGirr obtains bail for client in Pulp Fiction case

Karla Jade Milne was granted bail by Magistrate George Abood after submissions by Paul FC McGirr at Parramatta Local Court in September.

In scenes similar to the Quentin Tarantino movie Pulp Fiction, where Uma Thurman snorts John Travolta’s heroin and has to be revived, Karla Jade Milne’s alleged customers had to be saved by paramedics after a triple overdose at the Meriton Apartments on Kent St in the Sydney CBD in the early hours of September 5.
The trio allegedly had Milne, 26, of Pyrmont, ­deliver what they thought was cocaine to an after-party following a dance party at the Metro Theatre.
Within minutes of snorting the heroin, the three men starting trembling and sweating profusely, documents tendered to Parramatta Bail Court yesterday said.
Milne was granted bail in court yesterday after her lawyer, Paul McGirr, pointed out there was another man with Milne and police couldn’t rule out that he supplied the drugs.
Magistrate George Abood disagreed with the claim that it was a weak case against Milne but granted her $5000 bail.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/pulp-fiction-customers-turn-purple-after-mistakingly-snorting-heroin/news-story/f374066a36e7f204ae94c5bdbb759a5a?nk=522f7bec9f2e078a48935847bf893a69-1475904921

Section 10 dismissal for NRL Star

Paul FC McGirr was able to obtain a section 10 dismissal for Mr Jennings last week, as the Daily Telegraph reports:

Lawyer Paul McGirr told the court it was a “very unfortunate incident” that reflected the adage “nothing good happens after midnight”.
“Mr Jennings had thought sometimes because of the colour of his skin he might be targeted,” Mr McGirr said.
“It’s extremely embarrassing to him, to his club and most importantly to his ­family, because it was not the way he was brought up.”
He said the recently-married ­Jennings, who regularly takes part in charity functions and school and hospital visits, had been punished enough.
“He’s a quiet gentleman always happy to assist,” Mr McGirr said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/roosters-michael-jennings-gets-12-month-bond-for-abusing-police-in-parramatta-car-park/story-fni0cx12-1227644336412

Michael Jennings: "I'm only guilty of being black"

In an article published in July, the Daily Telegraph discusses Paul FC McGirr's defence of NRL player, Michael Jennings and potential racial profiling by NSW Police:

“Police said Jenning’s younger brother Robert, 19, was aggressively kicking the boom gate at the Erby Pl carpark— and that the Roosters star reacted ­aggressively when officers tried to speak to Robert.

While Jennings did not appear in person yesterday, Mr McGirr claimed outside court that the 27-year-old athlete was charged after telling his that friend he was not required by law to show the police officer his identification.

“He reminded him of his rights and said they were being profiled because they were black and asked what they had done,” he said.”
— http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nrl-hero-michael-jennings-im-only-guilty-of-being-black/story-fni0cx12-1227449742455