Bill Papas, co-director of Forum Finance which is at the centre of $400 million fraud allegations, has been dumped by his Australian lawyer amid doubts as to whether he will return to Australia to face allegations against three major lenders – Westpac, Sumitomo and Societe Generale.

Westpac was back in court on Wednesday to expand its case against the wider Forum Finance Group. while the other two lenders on Wednesday also brought civil action, Mr Papas had no legal representation at the short procedural court hearing.

Justice Michael Lee asked that Mr Papas’ lawyer Rocco Panetta be called to court and said he was not happy that Mr Papas was not being represented.

Mr Panetta dialled in to the virtual hearing and told the court he was in the process of ceasing to act for Mr Papas, who is currently based in Thessaloniki, but no reason was given as to why.

Mr Papas left Australia in late June, and lawyer Jeremy Giles SC, counsel for Westpac, told the hearing the bank remained doubtful that mr papas would return to Australia to face the allegations.

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“Those on my side are not holding their breath your honour if I might put it that way,” Mr Giles said, however Mr Panetta had said that Mr Papas had to cancel his flight back to Australia after contracting COVID and could not return due to travel restrictions and a lack of funds.

Mr Papas owns businesses in Greece, including soccer team Xanthi FC.

“I would have thought it would be in the interest of the liquidator for him to come back, if the only difficulty is purchasing a ticket it may be that that’s an issue that can be resolved.
Justice Lee said. “Whether or not that is the only issue, would become apparent if that issue was resolved.”

Prominent Greek lawyer Alexis Kougias, who owns a rival Greek soccer team, also filed a complaint to the Greek Money Laundering Commission last month alleging Mr Papas used his Greek soccer team Xanthi to “launder” $15 million of funds taken from Westpac.

Mr Kougias made a statement declaring he would bring forth the  matter to the relevant prosecutor and professional sports committee, however no formal action has been taken.