Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell allegedly has had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to appear at a Victorian Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, after claims he masterminded an $8.7 million fraud of his employer, logistics company SeaRoad Shipping, according to the Herald Sun.
The report indicated that the Australian Federal Police (AFP) should add Pannell to a watchlist, who has been "ยญaccused in court documents of pulling off the alleged scam on SeaยญRoad".
It is understood that Pannell allegedly created a fake company that claimed to repair damaged containers for $800 to $900 each. This supposedly took place from 2015 to 2024, with SeaRoad allegedly paying the firm created by Pannell, Independent Container Surveyors & Assessors (ICSA), $8.7m.
The conspiracy reportedly became unstuck when a SeaRoad finance manager discovered the company had not registered for GST during a compliance review.
"Investigations then found Mr Pannell was "the sole ยญdirector and shareholder" of ICSA," the Herald Sun report stated.
A letter penned from SeaRoad to Pannell in October last year, declared in the civil court case, that the former AFL umpire had "committed serious misconduct".
"SeaRoad is satisfied you have committed serious misconduct. You have been the sole shareholder and director of ICSA from 2010 to date. We find your response that you did not know you held these positions to be fanciful."
It is understood that the arrest warrant is due to be processed within days. Justice Andrew Watson adjourned the case until June 6.
