Why Isn't Russell Keddie In Jail?

Doesn’t systematic, deliberate and gross overcharging of clients equal fraud, which is the same thing as stealing ie. a criminal offence?

Russell Keddie was found guilty by the Legal Services Commissioner of “professional misconduct” for gross overcharging of clients, in particular a paraplegic. In the end, he took the blame for the firm’s behaviour, resulting in action against two of the firm’s other partners, Scott Roulstone and Tony Barakat being dropped. Several former clients are reportedly very angry these two have avoided such action.

One can only wonder what deal was done there. Russell Keddie doesn’t seem like the type of man to take the blame out of the goodness of his heart.

From the facts of the cases presented and the Commissioner’s comments, it is extremely doubtful that the systematic overcharging was due to negligence or innocent errors. Given this, how has no-one at the DPP decided that there is sufficient evidence to launch a prosecution for fraud? I have seen charges laid on far weaker evidence.

It simply beggars belief that a competent prosecutor could form the view that fraud charges based on this evidence could not succeed. Is it not in the public interest to prosecute a man who steals from cripples?

If I worked at a land mine manufacturer and began writing cheques to a charity like Paraquad, for even a tenth of the amount Keddies overcharged its clients, I’d be prosecuted. So why hasn’t Russell Keddie?

You can’t stoop much lower than stealing from cripples … except perhaps by fucking a man who steals from cripples.

Now Russell Keddie has declared himself bankrupt after transferring his share of two multi-million dollar properties to his wife for one dollar each.

They are nice properties. You could take a drive out and have a look if you’re in Sydney. The “family residence” at 10 Wiston Garderns, Double Bay is apparently worth around $5M. The beach house at 17 Karloo Parade, Newport is worth a bit over $3M. Nice buy, Sarah.

There are provisions in the Bankruptcy Act to reverse transactions which are found to have been done to defeat creditors. One might form the opinion the above transactions are of such a nature that they could be reversed by a court.

That they occurred in the first place is surely evidence of lack of contrition. Isn’t this all the more reason to lay criminal charges? If we can’t trust our legal authorities to prosecute a man like Russell Keddie, why don’t we just repeal S192G of the Crimes Act and call ourselves New South Nigeria?