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Judge damns Star's 'dysfunctional and unethical' culture under former CEO
Judge damns Star's 'dysfunctional and unethical' culture under former CEO
Former Star Entertainment chief executive Matt Bekier breached his duties as a director of the embattled casino operator, the Federal Court found on Thursday, even as Justice Michael Lee cleared the board for failing to pierce the “dysfunctional and unethical” culture at the company.
Lee dismissed allegations by ASIC that Star’s board led by former rugby boss John O’Neill breached their duties by paying insufficient attention to the risks of money laundering and criminal association at Star’s casinos that have ultimately led the company to the verge of collapse.
While Star executives failed to provide the board with troubling information that pointed tomoney laundering and illicit activitiesby Chinese junket operators at its casino, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission told the court that each of Star’s directors also failed to take reasonable steps to oversee its executive team.
Lee disagreed. The judgment found that the directors were let down by the management team, and warned against hindsight bias. “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards,” Lee said, quoti…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
Breaking: Ex-Star casino executives fined over Chinese money laundering scandal
Breaking: Ex-Star casino executives fined over Chinese money laundering scandal
Two former executives of The Star Entertainment Group Ltd have been handed penalties for breaching the Corporations Act.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
Ex-Star casino boss to be banned an hit with fine over junket scandal
Ex-Star casino boss to be banned an hit with fine over junket scandal
By MIKLOS BOLZA FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published:04:41 EDT, 27 May 2026|Updated:04:53 EDT, 27 May 2026
Star's ex-boss has shown no remorse after failing to disclose possible criminal risks of overseas junkets which drew billions of dollars into the casino, a court has been told.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
That included bundles of cash being delivered to the service desk in blue cooler bags or cardboard boxes and junket staff hiding under blankets to stay out ofthe viewof CCTV cameras.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission successfully sued Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin for breaches of their duties.
The watchdog on Wednesday sought hefty fines against the pair.
The ex-chief executive should pay $1.3million for his serious misconduct, barrister David Arnott SC told Justice Michael Lee.
'The label of negligence we say doesn't give full force to what Your Honour's actually found,' he said.
While he …
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
Former Star Entertainment execs breach Corporations Act
Former Star Entertainment execs breach Corporations Act
Star Entertainment Group's former executives failed to manage and report money-laundering and criminal-activity risks.
Two former senior executives of The Star Entertainment Group have been found by Australia’s Federal Court to have breached the Corporations Act 2001, due to failures in managing and reporting money-laundering and criminal-activity risks.
The judge’s ruling
, handed down on Wednesday, was part of civil penalty proceedings initiated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Justice Lee concluded that a former CEO and managing director, alongside the company’s ex-chief legal and risk officer, did not take adequate measures to address the risks associated with money laundering at the casino operator.
Moreover, they failed to properly inform the board about these critical compliance issues.
This is the latest setback for Star Entertainment, as last year it also faced heavy enforcement for AML failings, following a sweeping investigation by AUSTRAC.
In June 2025 the agency pushed for a $400 million fine
for the operator, after numerous AML violations over a period of several years were flagged…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
Former Star CEO Faces Multimillion-Dollar Fine Over Chinese Money ...
Former Star CEO Faces Multimillion-Dollar Fine Over Chinese Money ...
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Former Star CEO Matt Bekier Faces Multimillion-Dollar Fine Over Chinese Money Laundering
Adam Roarty
Journalist
UPDATED
March 5, 2026
UPDATED
March 5, 2026
Photo by Photoholgic on Unsplash
The former CEO of
Star Entertainment
,
Matthias Bekier
, is facing a fine of millions of dollars after a judge ruled he breached his director’s duties by allowing a Chinese junket to launder money at the group’s casinos.
In addition to Bekier,
Justice Michael Lee
ruled that Star’s former lawyer,
Paula Martin
, was also guilty, but seven others escaped punishment.
Lee said the company had been
operating dysfunctionally and unethically
under senior management. Between them, Bekier and Martin had
seven breaches of directors’ duties
. Each breach carries a
maximum penalty of just over AU$1 million (around $700,000).
The
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
(ASIC) brought the case against Star executives in 2022. Originally, 11 former employees faced charges, but the chief casino officer,
Gregory Hawkins
, and CFO,
Harry Theodore
,
admitted their wrongdoing. As a result, Hawkins paid an AU$180,000 fine, and…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
A failure by Star's ex-head to "blow the trumpet" on criminal risks presented by overseas gamblers has led to a $700,000 fine after a judge almost halved a sought-after penalty.
Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.
Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.
Justice Michael Lee on Wednesday imposed the penalty on Mr Bekier whose senior position at the casino materially aggravated the seriousness of his misconduct.
"The community tolerates casino operations upon the premise that those controlling them will exhibit vigilance equal to the risks inherent in the enterprise," the judge saidin his decision.
"When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting."
The casino's corporate governance failures emerged because its overseers didn't "blow the trumpet" when they saw "the sword coming", he added.
Mr Bekier's remuneration was more than $3 million in the 2021 financial year and more than $1.7…
Corroboration
No verdict, no pronouncement. The model extracts atomic factual claims with verbatim quotes; every quote is validated against the source text and corroboration is computed by counting how many editorially-opposed blocs assert each fact. 13 fabricated/unverifiable quotes were rejected by the cite-or-die gate.
The spine · 3 facts corroborated across ≥2 opposed blocs
1×broadly confirmedFormer Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019.
other
gdelt“Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the company's board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.”
dailymail.com“Former Star chief executive Matthias Bekier failed to inform the board of suspicious conduct committed by Chinese junket operator Suncity in 2018 and 2019, the Federal Court found in March.”
1×broadly confirmedFormer Star general counsel Paula Martin was successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of her duties.
other
gdelt“Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin have been successfully sued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for breaches of their duties.”
dailymail.com“The Australian Securities and Investments Commission successfully sued Mr Bekier and former Star general counsel Paula Martin for breaches of their duties.”
1×cross-perspective · 2Justice Michael Lee described the company’s corporate governance failures as resulting from a 'dysfunctional and unethical' culture under senior management.
other
casinobeats.com“Lee said the company had been operating dysfunctionally and unethically under senior management.”
smh.com.au“Justice Michael Lee cleared the board for failing to pierce the “dysfunctional and unethical” culture at the company.”
Single-source · 8 — reported by one bloc only (uncorroborated)
Two former executives of The Star Entertainment Group Ltd have been handed penalties for breaching the Corporations Act.
abc_au
Justice Michael Lee imposed a $700,000 fine on Matthias Bekier.
gdelt
The maximum penalty for each breach of directors’ duties is just over AU$1 million (around $700,000).
casinobeats.com
ASIC brought the case against Star executives in 2022.
casinobeats.com
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission sought a $1.3 million fine against Matthias Bekier.
dailymail.com
Justice Michael Lee dismissed allegations that Star’s board, led by former rugby boss John O’Neill, breached their duties by paying insufficient attention to the risks of money laundering and criminal association.
smh.com.au
Justice Michael Lee found that Star’s directors were let down by the management team.
smh.com.au
Star Entertainment faced heavy enforcement for AML failings following a sweeping investigation by AUSTRAC.
igamingbusiness.com
Framing · 5 — loaded language surfaced (spin shown, not adopted)
gdelt
“When it came to Star, that vigilance was found wanting.”
→ The judge found that Star’s vigilance was insufficient.
dailymail.com
“Star's ex-boss has shown no remorse after failing to disclose possible criminal risks of overseas junkets which drew billions of dollars into the casino, a court has been told.”
→ The court was told that Matthias Bekier showed no remorse for not disclosing risks.
dailymail.com
“The ex-chief executive should pay $1.3million for his serious misconduct”
→ ASIC’s barrister argued Bekier’s misconduct was serious.
igamingbusiness.com
“This is the latest setback for Star Entertainment”
→ The ruling is described as another setback for Star Entertainment.
smh.com.au
“warned against hindsight bias.”
→ The judge warned against judging past actions with current knowledge.
Entities
Federal Judgeperson
STAR Collaborationorg
former CEOperson
Ex-Star casino bossperson
Former Star CEOperson