A founder of high-end Melbourne men’s clothing store Harrolds has admitted falsifying customs documents for luxury suits imported from France and Italy to save money.
John Poulakis, 57, of Coburg, systematically undervalued goods imported from Europe between March 2002 and February 2006 to reduce the amount of duty owed to customs.
He pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonestly causing a risk of loss to an Australian Commonwealth entity in the Victorian County Court on Thursday.
County Court Judge Carolyn Douglas today said the offending was serious and sentenced him to five years’ jail.
But she ordered he be immediately released on a five-year, $40,000 good behaviour bond.
Judge Douglas said Poulakis had repaid the money to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and had the prosecution hanging over his head for nine years because of its complex nature.
Source: Herald Sun
