ATO Reassures Staff After Misconduct Findings
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has sought to reassure its investigations staff after a Queensland Supreme Court ruling criticized the agency's handling of a tax fraud prosecution.
The court's decision in The King vs Julie Clarke case found that an ATO officer had engaged in misconduct while gathering evidence, leading to the prosecution being stayed.
Justice Paul Smith handed down the ruling on October 3, citing misconduct by an ATO officer in the gathering of evidence.
- The case dates back to 2019 and involves allegations of inflated research costs by a therapeutics entrepreneur.
- The ATO may still appeal the matter, and several ATO officers were publicly identified in the ruling.
Author's summary: ATO reassures staff after court criticizes tax fraud prosecution handling.