Jailed Russian tycoon in third WA bail bid

Jailed Russian tycoon in third WA bail bid

A RUSSIAN-born technology tycoon who allegedly took part in a multi-million dollar text message scam in the United States is still trying to get out of jail in Perth ahead of an extradition hearing.

Eugeni “Zhenya” Tsvetnenko was charged by New York authorities in mid-2016 with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Five days before Christmas, he was arrested at his Applecross home and detained at Hakea prison.

When the 39-year-old father-of-two sought bail in January, he was deemed a flight risk, and his Federal Court challenge to the decision the following month was unsuccessful.

That judgment is now being appealed before the full bench of the Federal Court, which on Wednesday heard Tsvetnenko’s lawyer Anthony Young was still arguing his client’s special circumstances had not been properly considered in their totality.

WA mogul facing US extradition denied bail


Tsvetnenko’s estranged wife Lydia.

Tsvetnenko, who suffers from a painful spinal condition that requires hydrotherapy, is scheduled to face an extradition hearing in August.

The US Attorney’s Office alleges Tsvetnenko and his co-offenders in the “auto-subscription” scheme charged mobile phone customers $US9.99 per month for unsolicited, recurring text messages about horoscopes, celebrity gossip and trivia between 2011 and 2013.

They say illegal profits totalling more than $US150 million were used to fund lavish lifestyles, including expensive holidays, luxury cars and gambling.

Tsvetnenko and his estranged wife Lydia, who co-founded fashion label Zhivago, were in happier times snapped on red carpet events and held extravagant parties.

Their manor house wedding saw the bride arrive in a horse-drawn carriage while rapper Snoop Dogg was a guest at Tsvetnenko’s 29th birthday party.

Others nabbed in the investigation include Darcy Wedd and Fraser Thompson, who were sentenced to 10 years and five years behind bars, respectively.

Tsvetnenko previously told AAP through a spokeswoman he was not guilty.

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