Boss of payroll co skimmed record $165 million from ATO becomes 10th person to be charged

Another man has been charged over a tax evasion scheme that allegedly stole $165 million from the Australian Tax Office.

Simon Paul Anquetil, from Sydney’s north shore, is the 10th person to be charged in relation to the scheme and is due to face Sydney’s Central Local court on Friday.

He’s charged with conspiracy to defraud the commonwealth, the same as his co-accused Adam Cranston, the son of senior tax official Michael Cranston.

Mr Anquetil, 34, was former chief executive of Plutus Payroll Australia –  a legitimate company at the centre of a complex web of alleged deception.

Mr Anquetil paid former Miss World Australia winner Erin Holland to lure clients in to big events hosted by the payroll company.

Ms Holland, who took out the 2013 beauty pageant, was paraded at Plutus promotional parties and featured heavily in its social media advertisements.

‘Continuing to be spoilt rotten by my wonderful client Plutus Payroll Australia!’ Ms Holland wrote on her Facebook page, according to The Australian.

‘Erin Holland was engaged by Plutus Payroll to perform and host events curated by Plutus Payroll,’ Ms Holland’s agent told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.

‘At no time did Erin Holland have any involvement in, or knowledge of, alleged misconduct or alleged criminal activity by any person associated with Plutus Payroll or its related businesses.’

The fraud ring allegedly diverted $165 million in taxpayers’ money to fund their ‘lavish lifestyles’ (co-acused Adam Cranston pictured leaving court on Thursday)

 Adam Cranston and his sister are among nine people who were arrested on Wednesday. AFP allege the group used stolen taxpayer funds to fund their ‘lavish lifestyles’ (pictured, $1 million in seized cash)

Police allege the elaborate syndicate ran the payroll company and accepted money from clients to process payroll on their behalf.

Money was transferred to subcontracted or second-tier companies which made the payroll payments. That was legal but police allege what happened next was not…

MORE HERE: Former boss of Plutus Payroll charged over ‘tax fraud’ | Daily Mail Online