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A fraudster who shows "no remorse" for helping steal tens of millions of dollars from the tax office will spend at least six years behind bars.
Patrick Willmott, a co-conspirator in one of Australia's biggest tax fraud conspiracies, was handed a nine-year prison sentence with six years non-parole by Justice Anthony Payne on Friday.
Willmott was found guilty in MarchF, alongside four others including Adam Cranston, a childhood friend and the son of a former deputy tax commissioner, after a marathon trial that began in April 2022.
The jury was satisfied he conspired to cause a loss to the Commonwealth and deal with the proceeds of crime worth more than $1 million.
Legitimate clients, attracted by its lack of service fees, sent money to Plutus Payroll for wages, taxes and super.
Instead, the money moved through second-tier companies directed by "unsophisticated and vulnerable people" who did not understand them, Justice Payne said.
Willmott showed "no remorse or empathy" for helping recruit a woman who came to him for assistance after the death of her husband as director of one of the shell companies, even though he knew she had inadequate business experience.
The conspirators squirrelled away over $105 million destined for the Australian taxpayer, instead using the fraudulently obtained money to fund lavish lifestyles, replete with fast cars, planes and luxury real estate.
During his two-year involvement, the conspirators defrauded $31 million from the taxpayer and Willmott personally benefited from almost $500,000 worth in proceeds.
Appearing over video link wearing a large crucifix necklace over his prison greens, Willmott hung his head as Justice Payne read out his sentence.
Three more conspirators will learn their fates in June.
