{"id":17608,"date":"2026-07-16T04:18:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T04:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/16\/former-assistant-tax-commissioner-nick-petroulias-charged-with-multiple-fraud-offences-greek-city-times\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T04:18:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T04:18:21","slug":"former-assistant-tax-commissioner-nick-petroulias-charged-with-multiple-fraud-offences-greek-city-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/16\/former-assistant-tax-commissioner-nick-petroulias-charged-with-multiple-fraud-offences-greek-city-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Assistant Tax Commissioner Nick Petroulias Charged with Multiple Fraud Offences \u2013 Greek City Times"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Former assistant tax commissioner Nick Petroulias<\/strong> has been charged with multiple fraud offences, including obtaining financial advantage by deception and using false documents.<\/h3>\n
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Nick Petroulias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The charges stem from a long-running investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) into corrupt property dealings involving the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council (ALALC).<\/p>\n

Four years after the ICAC\u2019s final report in 2022, which found serious corrupt conduct and referred the matter to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Petroulias, his then-partner lawyer Despina Bakis<\/strong>, and former ALALC deputy chairperson Richard Green<\/strong> now face court.<\/p>\n

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Mr Petroulias\u2019s then-partner, lawyer Despina Bakis, has also been charged with fraud, as has former deputy chairperson of the ALALC board Richard Green.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Alleged Scheme<\/h3>\n

The ICAC investigation, known as Operation Skyline<\/strong>, examined proposed property deals between the ALALC and Gows Heat Pty Ltd \u2014 a company secretly controlled by Mr Petroulias.<\/p>\n

According to the ICAC, the trio allegedly engaged in a scheme involving \u201csham\u201d agreements that falsely granted Gows Heat an option to purchase five NSW properties owned by the Land Council. These rights were then intended to be on-sold to a third party, Sunshine Property Investment Group Pty Ltd.<\/p>\n

The commission found that Ms Bakis, acting as lawyer for both parties, allegedly prepared false contractual documents, while Mr Petroulias altered board meeting minutes without the ALALC board\u2019s knowledge or approval.<\/p>\n

More than $1 million<\/strong> from Sunshine allegedly ended up with Mr Petroulias\u2019 company instead of the Land Council. The money trail reportedly passed through 63 different bank accounts to disguise its source and use.<\/p>\n

The ICAC also found that Mr Petroulias falsified documents to conceal his involvement, including allegedly stealing a deceased person\u2019s identity to appoint him as a director of the company. He is accused of receiving $1,023,934<\/strong> from the scheme.<\/p>\n

Ms Bakis is alleged to have used a false identity (\u201cDaphne Diomedes\u201d) to obtain a passport, driver\u2019s licence, and open multiple bank accounts and credit cards.<\/p>\n

Mr Green faces additional charges of misconduct in public office. The ICAC found he received a Mercedes and part of the proceeds, which he used in part to purchase a tip truck and excavator.<\/p>\n

All three are due to appear in court on 23 July<\/strong>.<\/p>\n