$20,000 bail for Australian businessman Fiji Sun, June 22, 2010 Written By : LUSIA BRENNANl. An Australian businessman has been charged with obtaining money by false pretense and appeared at the High Court in Suva yesterday. Graeme Hedge was finally released on a cash bail of $20,000 by Justice Sithambarampillai Thurairaja after the court found that there had been no strong objection to bail by the prosecution. Hedge was charged at the Magistrates Court and refused bail. He is alleged to have falsely duped an Indian company, Dharampal Satyapal Limited, and defrauded them of F$400,000 by falsely pretending that he could supply sandalwood to India. Hedge allegedly committed the fraud through false advertisements on the internet. While applying for bail, Hedge told the High Court he was not a flight risk, had no previous convictions, had considerable assets in Fiji and was willing to provide a suitable surety for the court. Hedge also said he had millions of dollars invested in Fiji and his wife and two children were all living in Fiji. However, while responding to the bail application, the State produced an affidavit of Police Detective Sergeant Satish Chand who said Hedge was also being investigated in another case by police. Sgt Chand said Hedge’s claims of millions of dollars of investment in Fiji had not been supported by documentary evidence and should not be considered by the court. State prosecutor Waline George also urged the court to consider the fact that the applicant could re-offend while on bail as he had previously used the internet as his medium. Ms George said the interest of the public and the community should be considered as the amount of money involved was substantial. Justice Thurairaja, while ruling on the bail application, said while he was mindful of the serious nature of the charge, he was of the view that no strong opposition to bail has been submitted by the State. Hedge has been released on cash bail of $20,000 but on the condition that he produce three sureties worth $200,000 each and that his Australian passport be surrendered to court. Justice Thurairaja also ordered that Hedge not travel out of Labasa without prior permission of the court and not leave Fiji until his case has been concluded. Hedge has also been strongly warned by the High Court not to involve himself in any more similar businesses over the internet while the case is being dispensed with. |
10 Comments
George A. L W
27/7/2013 01:11:10 pm
The guy is a crook and somehow is now is bed with the interim government. VRB seems to more and more like laying down with these unsavoury types. But, carry on guvnor, they more VRB et al do, inevitably they will all fall together.
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Tony Schepis
26/8/2013 06:43:51 pm
I have serious doubts this scumbag is being assisted by PM himself but Graeme and his brother told me they are under some protection from someone in government which they named but this needs to be investigated. Graeme Edward Hedge - Carolyn Francis Hedge - Geoffrey Lewis Hedge - Peter Anthony Scollary and Michael Charles Barbieri are thieves and cannot be trusted. The partners of Austpacific Industries (Fiji) Limited were robbed by all these criminals who have not yet been brought to justice and Westpac assisted them to rob the shareholders and are refusing to account for their negligence and professional negligence and why they were complicate in this fraud. Westpac are hiding behind their big corporate wall and refusing to answer questions to any of the shareholders, RBF or the official receiver of Austpacific. Graeme and Carolyn failed as directors and are now refusing to fulfil their obligations to the Official Receiver and we fail to see how they are now in control of another company in Fiji and are dealing with the government of Fiji. Someone please explain!!!
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Tu
11/11/2014 02:13:38 pm
It would appear Mr Graeme Hedge has been up to his old tricks again! I heard today he owes considerable money to a NZ helicopter company he has been in partnership with which resulted in them trying to remove their equipment from a hangar they were operating from. Ironically the rumour has it he hasn't paid rent for the hangar for a considerable amount of time either yet he has trespassed the staff from the NZ business and wont let them in to remove the rest of their belongings including the helicopter!!
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Paul Clark
27/2/2016 12:25:53 pm
whats happened to mr hedge ?theres plenty of people here in Sydney looking for him with all the scams he's been involved with over the years ! Why haven't fiji government put him away forever? I've heard there's a paid hit on him if someone can pin him down!
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Peni
2/10/2016 09:28:32 pm
He is in Nausori....
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james
6/1/2017 11:04:33 pm
His based at nausori airport
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ALDO SCHEPIS
11/3/2017 06:59:59 am
I ALSO HAVE BEEN ROBBED BY THIS SCUMBAG.
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9/3/2021 03:35:17 am
Aldo, I feel bad to have assisted GH to Fiji 1998'ish. We were partner's in Taunton Dean Fine Furniture GH had lease ,unknown to me his landlord wanted to kick him out for unpaid rent!
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Informant
21/1/2024 04:05:53 am
It appears this con artist has set up a medical facility in Fiji. Locations include Port denarau marina, sofitel resort, Hilton resort, intercontinental resort and Grand pacific hotel. He is abusing his staff and doing illegal medications and testing at his facility. From an informant, he lives in Denarau residence and drives vehicles by number plate EMS etc I have been scammed in 30k medical bills by this scum while on a vacation to Fiji Islands. His accompalise Michael is also involved. Report of my scam have been logded in Australia.
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26/9/2024 07:38:19 am
Do not doubt for a second; I can assure you that there is a creator of heaven and earth and he will in time catch up with this thieving scum bag.
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