Friday 15 February 2019

19-031MR Queensland lawyer pleads guilty to giving false or misleading information to ASIC

Mary-Anne Greaves, of Mount Sheridan, Queensland, has pleaded guilty before the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court to one count of giving false or misleading information to ASIC.

The examination of Ms Greaves, a former lawyer, was part of an investigation conducted by ASIC into a 2015 takeover bid by G8 Education Limited (G8 Education) for ASX-listed Affinity Education Group Limited (Affinity). The investigation included enquiries into alleged undisclosed arrangements between G8 Education and West Bridge Holdings Pty Ltd (West Bridge) for the acquisition of Affinity shares as part of the takeover bid.

The charge related to Greaves’ false denial, on 2 June 2016, during an ASIC examination under oath, that she had not been provided information relating to the acquisition by West Bridge of Affinity shares at the time of the takeover bid by G8 Education.

The matter has been listed for a sentencing hearing before the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on 24 May 2019.

The matter is being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.