Head of collapsed trucking company has bikie links, court told

THE head of a collapsed trucking company accused of fleecing a bank of more than $30 million has strong links to outlaw bikies who could help him flee the country, a court has heard. 
 
Steve Iliopoulos, 52, faced court charged with three counts of deceptively obtaining a financial advantage from the Commonwealth Bank, involving more than $30 million.

The former head of the Viking Group also has been charged with attempting to deceptively obtain a financial advantage from Westpac, involving $53 million.

The Viking Group of more than 20 companies, which operated a number of heavy haulage, transport and service businesses, collapsed in 2011.

Police say that after this, members of the Comancheros bikie gang besieged the gates of properties in Laverton and Tasmania to stop a court-appointed liquidator from entering to seize property.

Mr Iliopoulos is accused of submitting to the Commonwealth Bank false information about the group's financial position between 2009 and 2011, when he was the sole director and shareholder of Viking Fleet Services.

Police allege Mr Iliopoulos first used false documentation in October 2009 to secure a loan of $12.15 million, and the following year obtained further loans of $17.4 million and $4 million.

It was also alleged that between September 2009 and April 2011 Mr Iliopoulos submitted 50 offer statements bearing false invoice information and received $30 million.

Prosecutor Amina Bhai told Melbourne Magistrates' Court Mr Iliopoulos was a flight risk and there were millions of dollars unaccounted for that could provide an incentive for him to flee.

His bikie links meant he could get access to a fake passport and his contacts in the transport industry meant he could flee Australia by boat, she said.

The court heard Mr Iliopoulos's chief financial officer, Loukia Bariamis, who also has been charged and has agreed to give evidence against him, was fearful of him.

And there was also evidence that Mr Iliopoulos had been seen in possession of weapons such as knives and a stun gun, the court heard.

But Daniel Porceddu, for Mr Iliopoulos, said suggestions that he had ways to flee Australia were "pure speculation" as were suggestions that his links to the Comancheros could help him to get a false passport.
He said his client would vigorously defend the charges.

Magistrate Peter Reardon refused bail and remanded Mr Iliopoulos to reappear for a committal mention hearing in July.

thedailytelegraph.com.au  21 Mar 2013

Authorities have a very slack approach to these types of matters.

It has been known for quite some time of the allegation made against Mr. Iliopoulos to authorities, but corruption takes hold that thwart 'justice'.