Justice Served Up To Matthew Perrin
There is a lesson here for any building company director or CEO who thinks they can get away with perpetrating corporate fraud on innocent, hard working subcontractors and suppliers.
Anyone who falsely sign's statutory declarations or any legal document, might think twice after today when District Court Judge Julie Dick SC sentenced Matthew Perrin to 8 years with a 4 year non parole.
Who among us would like to spend 4 to 8 years in jail? That is the risk Corporate fraudsters take.
What she said is heartening to all us in the construction industry who have lost their hard earned to building company collapses over the years and in particular, in the past month.
It is on the public record that The Minister For Housing Mick De Brenni has said there will be a Police investigation and potential prosecution in regard to the fraudulent use of Statutory Declarations by construction company directors or administrators.
The use of Statutory Declarations is a legislative requirement for construction companies to confirm that their subcontractor and supplier have been paid prior to receiving further payment from a client.
Issuing false Statutory Declarations is in effect, fraud where the building company is receiving payment by deception and defeats the rights of construction industry small businesses to access payment using other legislative means.
Matthew Perrin Sentencing
When sentencing Perrin today, Judge Julie Dick SC said in regard to Perrin falsifying a 13.5 million loan application by forging his then wife's signature, "you turned to these criminal activities to stay afloat. You gambled on being able to trade out.
Such offences where fraud is committed on institutions large and small, strike at the heart of commercial integrity."
"Strike at the heart of commercial integrity" is a brilliant line and any building company directors contemplating taking their subbies and suppliers for a ride should take note.
Congratulations to Judge Julie Dick SC, those words are encouraging that justice will prevail for the victims of building company package liquidations.
It is a warning to those who have committed corporate fraud in the building industry and anyone who is currently contemplating doing something similar.
Fraud has to be a component of package liquidations and Illegal Phoenix operations and those who think they will get away with it should reconsider.
Justice will be served.