Christopher Edward Eric Skelly, of Lark Hill, Queensland has been found guilty by a jury of one fraud-related charge brought by ASIC.

Mr Skelly, a former director of C & G Group Industries Pty Ltd ACN 168 873 578 (C&G) was found guilty of intent to defraud by deceit or fraudulent means and gaining a benefit, namely $529,380.72, for C & G between 11 December 2014 and 12 January 2015.

Mr Skelly deceived a factoring agency by emailing them an invoice and other documents that created the false impression that monies were owed to C&G by debtors, when in fact they were not. Relying on those documents, the factoring agency paid C&G a total of $529,380.72.  

Mr Skelly was on trial in the Perth District Court between 18 March 2019 and 25 March 2019.

The matter was adjourned for sentence on 17 April 2019 at the Perth District Court.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution prosecuted the matter.

Background

C&G was involved in the provision of crushing & screening services. The company was placed into administration on 28 April 2015 and liquidators were subsequently appointed on 29 May 2015. C&G had total liabilities of $4,089,386 owing to 54 creditors.

ASIC commenced an investigation after receiving a report from the liquidators of C&G, David Ross and Cameron Shaw of Hall Chadwick.

Editor's note:

On 17 April 2019 Mr Skelly was sentenced to imprisonment of three years and six months, with parole eligibility, his term backdated to commence from 25 March 2019 (refer: 19-102MR).