

WA businessman set to face jail for fraud

A businessman who defrauded a biopharmaceutical company out of $394,000 is expected to face an immediate jail term.
William James Ardrey, 49, was convicted in the District Court of Western Australia earlier this month of 18 counts of fraud.
The court heard he charged privately-held company Phoenix Eagle for fees he claimed had been paid to consultants but instead were pocketed by him.
"He didn't desist until the company stopped paying," prosecutor Sean O'Sullivan said during sentencing submissions on Thursday.
Judge Laurie Levy went a step further, saying Ardrey continued to seek payment for some time and his deception continued right through to the trial.
Judge Levy also dismissed defence lawyer Gary Massey's claim that his client had been rehabilitated.
Mr Massey argued that Ardrey had not committed any criminal offences since working with Phoenix Eagle nine years ago.

Related Articles

He said Ardrey had put his New York property on the market in a genuine attempt to raise funds to pay back the company, but Mr O'Sullivan said the restitution needed to be more concrete to be given weight in mitigation.
Civil action against Ardrey was put on hold pending resolution of the criminal case.
Phoenix Eagle is seeking compensation for interest on the $394,000, Ardrey's $70,000 pay as a company director, legal and investigative costs in Australia and the US, and about $700,000 worth of shares in the company.
Judge Levy is considering an application for a reparation order to that effect and will sentence Ardrey on Friday.
Mr Massey sought a suspended sentence, but acknowledged a term of immediate imprisonment was usual in such cases.
Ardrey, who was on the board of Phoenix Eagle, has been remanded in custody at Hakea Prison.
© AAP 2019

Send your photos, videos and stories to 9News
