Westpac’s case against alleged fraudsters, Bill Papas and Vincenzo Tesoriero, won’t be heard until at least early 2023, The Australian has reported.
The delay comes after a new judge, Justice Tom Thawley, took over the marathon case.
When presiding over the case for the first time in the Federal Court on Friday, Justice Thawley said given issues with finding a judge available for three weeks at this stage in the year, the hearing would most likely occur in February.
The change of judge comes after Mr Tesoriero succeeded in having Justice Michael Lee recuse himself from hearing the case, which he had been set to preside over in October, arguing the judge had developed a biased opinion of the Melbourne businessman.
Westpac is pursuing the former Forum Finance figures and entities in the action over an alleged $300 million fraud, involving claims of false and forged invoices.
READ MORE: NSW Financial Crimes Squad opens investigation into Bill Papas and Forum Finance.
Source: The Australian.
