Westpac’s attempt to hold Bill Papas in contempt of court has been complicated by the fact that his lawyer no longer represents him and his listed address for contact is a property in Sydney, despite his being in Greece, The Australian Financial Review reports.
Westpac wants Mr Papas held in contempt of court, the first criminal charges that would be made against him, over an alleged transfer of funds from an entity he was the owner of – Palante – after freezing orders were placed on the Forum Group founder.
READ MORE: Westpac takes aim at new figures connected to Forum and Bill Papas scandal.
However, the application to the Federal Court of Australia is being held up after Mr Papas’ solicitor, Rocco Panetta, filed to no longer represent him. Mr Papas has not yet found another lawyer.
After Mr Panetta ceased to represent him, the address to contact Mr Papas to serve documents related to civil actions against him was a property in the Sydney suburb of Rozelle, the AFR reports.
Mr Papas has been in Greece since June 21 and has failed to come home, despite – through Mr Panetta – saying he would.
Westpac sent two emails to Mr Papas on Thursday before a third bounced back. Mr Papas had been corresponding with his lawyers, Westpac and McGrathNicol through a Gmail account.
Mr Panetta was asked by Justice Lee to be contacted and to attend court later on Friday. However, attempts by Westpac’s solicitors to reach Mr Panetta failed and the court will return next week in an attempt to resolve the issue of Mr Papas’ listed address.
READ MORE: NSW Financial Crimes Squad opens investigation into Bill Papas and Forum Finance.
Source: The Australian Financial Review.
