There has been yet another delay in the case of a Penrith accountant facing fraud charges.
38-year-old tax agent Benjamin Carter was arrested at his Silverdale home in July of 2023 by NSW Raptor Squad detectives, and the case lingers almost two years later.
He had been under investigation since June of 2023 when Raptor Squad officers – with assistance from the Tax Practitioners Board – commenced an investigation into reports of fraudulent misconduct by Carter and his firm.
Carter was subsequently charged with 16 offences including 14 counts of ‘dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception’, ‘knowingly deal with proceeds of crime’ and ‘possess prohibited drug’.
Police allege Carter defrauded at least eight accounting clients to the value of $26 million in a bid to fund his lavish lifestyle and gambling habit, but his lawyer later argued the $26 million figure was closer to $6 million with $20 million relating to gambling institutions.
Among the accusations is that Carter, in his capacity as a tax agent, accountant and Chief Financial Officer of Drink West, falsely purported to facilitate the purchase of shares in Drink West by Adam Fraser to the tune of $440,000.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Drink West.
At the time of his arrest Carter was refused bail and remanded to Long Bay Correctional Centre in protective custody but has since been granted bail under strict conditions including that he must reside with his retired mother in Kingswood, report daily to police and wear an electronic tracking bracelet.
He is also prohibited from leaving greater Sydney and is only allowed to leave home for a number of reasons identified by the court.
Arrested at the same time as Carter was a then 25-year-old receptionist, now known to be Carter’s partner Amy Steele, at the Carter’s Tax Advisory office in the Penrith CBD. She was charged with ‘recklessly deal with proceeds of crime > $5,000’.
Police will allege Steele knowingly attempted to conceal Carter’s misconduct and benefited from the proceeds of his crime.
Steele’s case currently remains before the court subject to lengthy adjournments as it is linked with Carter’s case. Her case will return to Penrith Local Court in early September.
After his arrest the Tax Practitioners Board formally terminated the registration of Carter in September 2023 and handed him a five-year ban before he can reapply to the Board for Registration.
Since Carter was first arrested in July of 2023 the case has been before the NSW Local Court system at least a dozen times.
The matter has been perpetually adjourned given the magnitude of the evidence collected, including an extensive forensic accounting report.
Last Friday, May 16 Magistrate Fiona Toose again adjourned the matter until September after both the prosecution and the defence agreed on the lengthy adjournment.
Carter will return to Penrith Local Court in early September, where the case will continue its long journey.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.