On 26 November 2020, Mr Craig Kirrin Gore was sentenced to five years imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years. Mr Gore was previously found guilty following a five-day, judge-alone trial at the Brisbane District Court (20-258MR).
Mr Gore was found guilty of six counts of fraud involving amounts totalling $345,000.
Mr Gore was initially arrested on 14 April 2017 after being charged with fraud relating to obtaining funds from self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) investors during 2013 and 2014.
ASIC’s case focussed on Mr Gore obtaining funds from SMSF investors through his role at Arion Financial Pty Ltd. Investors were presented with information that they could invest in debentures, with various promises that included a guaranteed return, high returns, and that the funds could be returned after a short-term period of investment.
Upon sentencing, Judge Byrne remarked that SMSF investors legitimately save and invest for their retirement and that it is an aggravating factor that these funds were being targeted. Judge Byrne further noted deterrent sentences are necessary to reassure SMSF investors that those convicted of dishonestly dealing with their funds will be punished accordingly.
ASIC Commissioner Sean Hughes said ‘ASIC will continue to pursue criminal cases of fraud to take action against dishonest conduct especially where savings for retirement are at risk.’
The matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions after an investigation and referral of a prosecution brief by ASIC.
Prior to sentencing, Mr Gore lodged an appeal for the earlier guilty verdict. No dates have been set for the appeal.
Background
Fraud
On 14 April 2017, Mr Gore was arrested for allegedly defrauding between 2013 and 2014, five self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) investors of approximately $800,000 (17-116MR).
Managing while disqualified
Mr Gore also faces three charges of acting in the management of three corporations (MOGS Pty Ltd, Sleipner Financial Pty Ltd and Arion) while disqualified from doing so. Those matters did not form part of the fraud trial and will return to the Magistrates Court for mention on 27 November 2020.
The charges of acting in the management of corporations whilst disqualified each carry a maximum penalty of one-year imprisonment or 50 penalty units.
Editor’s note:
On 17 November 2020, Mr Gore filed a notice to appeal the verdict handed down on 27 October 2020. The matter will be heard on 23 February 2021 at the Queensland Court of Appeal.
Editor’s note 2:
The next hearing regarding the charges of acting in the management of corporations whilst disqualified will be 26 March 2021 at the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court.
Editors note 3:
Mr Gore’s appeal against the guilty verdict was heard on 23 February 2021 with a decision reserved to a date not yet fixed.
Editor's note 4:
The mention of the charges of acting in the management of corporations whilst disqualified was adjourned to 23 April 2021 at the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court.
Editor's note 5:
The matter has been adjourned for further mention on 21 May 2021.
Editor's note 6:
On 21 May 2021, the matter was adjourned for further mention until 16 July 2021.
Editor's note 7:
The Queensland Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by Mr Craig Kirrin Gore against his conviction on six counts of fraud (refer: 21-184MR).
Three further charges of acting in the management of three corporations (MOGS Pty Ltd, Sleipner Financial Pty Ltd and Arion) whilst disqualified from doing so did not form part of the fraud trial and will return to the Queensland Magistrates Court for mention on 20 August 2021.
Editor's note 8:
The matter has been adjourned until 15 October 2021 for further mention.
Editor's note 9:
On 15 October 2021, the matter was adjourned to further mention on 12 November 2021.
Editor's note 10:
On 12 November 2021 the matter was further adjourned to mention on 11 March 2022.
Editor's note 11:
The matter has been adjourned to 1 April 2022 for further mention. On 16 March 2022, the High Court dismissed an application for leave to appeal, lodged by Mr Gore, regarding his fraud convictions.
Editor's note 12:
On 27 April 2022, the matter was adjourned for further mention on 20 May 2022.
Editor's note 13:
On 20 May 2022, the matter was adjourned for further mention on 17 June 2022.
Editor's note 14:
On 17 June 2022, the matter was adjourned for further mention on 15 July 2022.
Editor's note 15:
On 15 July 2022, the matter was adjourned for further mention on 29 July 2022.
Editor's note 16:
On 29 July 2022, the matter was adjourned for further mention on 5 August 2022.
Editor's note 17:
The matter has been listed for summary hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court commencing 13 February 2023. A pre-hearing mention is listed for 4 November 2022.