Former Chartwell secretary pleads guilty
The former secretary of investment company Chartwell Enterprises, Ian Rau, has pleaded guilty to charges brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Rau entered a plea of guilty in relation to two counts of using a false document and one count of dishonest conduct after a three-day committal hearing in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court.
He also informed the court of his intention to plead guilty to other charges brought by ASIC once a properly worded indictment is prepared.
Chartwell Enterprises was a Geelong-based company that allegedly traded investor funds on local and global financial markets. It entered voluntary administration in April 2008 and was soon placed into liquidation — allegedly owing investors more than $60 million.
Rau was committed to stand trial on a total of 16 offences, including carrying on a financial services business without a financial services licence (one count), engaging in dishonest conduct in relation to financial services (nine counts), falsifying documents (two counts), obtaining a financial advantage by deception (two counts), obtaining property by deception (one count), and dishonest use of company position (one count).
Rau was bailed with conditions and will stand trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria on a date to be fixed.
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