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another aussie poker player in trouble. from heraldsun.com.au:
A THIRD man charged over an alleged $100 million scam involving fraudulent bank loans, a Melbourne accounting firm and poker players has faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Accountant Robert Zaia, 49, was granted bail after being charged with more than 100 offences over an alleged decade-long scam involving dodgy loan applications with the Commonwealth Bank lodged by Scoresby-based accounting firm Zaia Arthur & Associates.
The court heard the Lysterfield man faces the same charges as 55-year-old champion poker player William Jordanou, who was bailed yesterday.
Mr Jordanou was charged with 142 offences relating to fraud - including obtaining property by deception, obtaining financial advantage by deception, attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception and theft and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
It is alleged Mr Jordanou, Mr Zaia and Frank Porcino told one man not to talk to police, to tell them they were his accountants and did nothing wrong, that they would “look after him” and that Mr Porcino knew exactly what was going on.
It is believed two more people will be interviewed and charged over the complex scheme in coming days.
Mr Porcino had already been charged over related matters, the court heard.
Prosecutor Luke Exell told the court on Wednesday the charges stemmed from a complaint was made by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia regarding property development loan applications lodged by the accounting firm allegedly supported by false documents.
He said the false documents included tax documents, financial and bank statements and letters of employment.
Mr Exell said the accused used false builders invoices and client approvals to withdraw the funds, which was then spent on property developments and to fund a certain lifestyle.
The court heard it was originally believed the alleged crimes involved around $9m of fraudulently obtained funds, but investigations into transactions between 2004 and 2013 resulted in the discovery of around $100m of ill-gotten gains.
George Defteros, representing both Mr Jordanou and Mr Zaia, told the court on Wednesday he welcomed the charges, which they had been prepared for since the firm’s premises was raided by police in 2012, and would vigorously deny them.
The court heard civil proceedings involving the Commonwealth Bank were on foot in the Supreme Court relating to some of the allegations.
Mr Zaia’s bail conditions included weekly reporting to police, remaining in Australia and having no contact with the 150 prosecution witnesses, excluding his ex-wife and sister, or their families.
He will return to court for a committal mention on September 17.
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