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Clive Palmer, right. pictured on board his private jet with his media adviser Andrew Crook. Picture Jamie Hanson Source: News Limited
CLIVE Palmer’s media adviser Andrew Crook and a second man have been charged over the alleged kidnapping of a bank executive.
Mr Crook, aged 48 from New Farm, and Gold Coast private investigator Mick Featherstone, aged 51, have been charged with retaliation of a witness, attempting to pervert the course of justice and attempted fraud.
Police have also issued a warrant for the arrest of a third man believed to be former AFL player Tony Smith who lives in Bali. The men allegedly lured a National Australia Bank executive to an Indonesian island off the coast of Singapore with the prospect of a high-paid job with mining magnate Clive Palmer.
“It will be alleged the employee willingly attended the island in the belief that they were going to take part in a lucrative job interview,†a police statement said.
Mr Palmer said he was not aware of the plot and had nothing to do with it.
Police allege Mr Featherstone pretended to be the job interviewer in an attempt to get recorded admissions from the bank employee that he had lied during a 2012 civil matter to protect the bank’s interests.
Smith took the NAB to court over $68 million he lost in a building project and shares in failed mortgage broker MFS.
“After failing to obtain any admissions from the bank employee, it will be alleged that a second plan was implemented which saw two Indonesian nationals dress in what appeared to be security-type uniforms enter the room, detain the bank employee and seize his mobile phone, wallet and passport,†police say.
“It will also be alleged that the third man also made his presence known and threatened the employee which ultimately led to him being coerced into making a confessional video before they would allow him to leave the island.†Police said the video footage and other falsified documentation were used in an attempt to have the bank reopen negotiations associated with the 2012 civil proceedings and also as potential evidence in a current civil matter involving the bank employee. Police are yet to speak with Mr Smith.
AAP