ATO Supports Staff After Queensland Findings of Investigative Misconduct
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has reassured its investigations staff that it supports them in potentially high-profile or controversial prosecutions over tax fraud.
This comes after the Queensland Supreme Court criticized the ATO in the case of The King vs Julie Clarke, a therapeutics entrepreneur accused of inflating research costs.
Justice Paul Smith stayed the prosecution, citing misconduct by an ATO officer in gathering evidence.
The decision, made on October 3, identified several ATO officers, but their names have not been disclosed as the ATO may still appeal.
The case dates back to 2019 and is part of a decade-long prosecution that has seen the ATO's fraud squad face criticism.
Author's summary: ATO reassures staff after court criticizes investigative misconduct.