As reported by The Age, Mr John Poulakis, a luxury menswear retailer in Melbourne, pleaded guilty this week to understating by $1.4 million the value of imported European clothing in order to reduce the amount of customs duty payable on imported clothes.
Mr Poulakis’ Harrolds stores include an outlet in Collins Street and one at the Crown complex, as well as stores in Sydney.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Mr Poulakis chose to “systematically understate” the value of imported goods from Italy and France.
On Monday a contested committal hearing was brought to an early close when 100 charges were withdrawn by prosecutor Andrew Buckland, who substituted them with two offences.
The offences, which carry maximum sentences of five years jail, were alleged to have been committed between March 2002 and February 2006.
In a summary presented by the prosecution, Mr Poulakis’ role in the business was described as managing the stores’ day-to-day operations from the company’s head office in Flinders Lane.
The summary also claimed that Mr Poulakis established a business in Greece as a “buying agent and supplier of goods” to another company. Police executed search warrants in October 2006 at Mr Poulakis’ home and office.
Magistrate Brian Clifford bailed Mr Poulakis on condition he live at an address in Coburg and notify authorities within 24 hours of any planned overseas trip. He will appear in the County Court in November.
Neos Kosmos attempted to speak to Mr Poulakis for comment but was unable to contact him.