Latest news with #TroyPannell
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Umpire-on-the-run rushed to hospital after serious car crash
Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell has reportedly had life-saving surgery after a car crash on a country road in Victoria. Pannell is wanted by the law and only yesterday there was mystery surrounding his whereabouts after he failed to show up at the Supreme Court. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Troy Pannell fails to show up in court. Now it has been reported that he is in a serious condition at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. He was reportedly 'rushed to Melbourne' after a 'single vehicle crash' on Friday night. 'It's understood Pannell's car ran off the road in rural western Victoria on Friday and hit a tree, with no other vehicle nearby at the time,' the News Corp report said. Pannell is being pursued by his former employer, SeaRoad Shipping, who allege he defrauded them over $8.7 million. The 48-year-old's name was called out at Victoria's Supreme Court on Friday but he was not in attendance. It's the second time he has missed a scheduled court appearance and arrest warrant was issued to bring the former AFL umpire before Justice Andrew Watson in a civil case. Only yesterday the court believed he had left Victoria and was possibly heading to South Australia. Officers had been instructed to keep him in custody until the next hearing. Pannell officiated 291 AFL games from 2005 to 2018 — including a controversial 2016 match where he awarded 17 free kicks to the eventual flag-winning Bulldogs and only one to Adelaide during a regular season game. It has been alleged that Pannell generated invoices to pay a company named Independent Container Surveyors & Assessors (ICSA) to repair damaged shipping containers, with each 'repair' costing SeaRoad $800 to $900. It is also alleged that Pannell had authority to approve purchase orders up to the value of $5000, and it was only when a finance manager noticed ICSA was not registered for GST that suspicions were raised. SeaRoad alleges ICSA did no work to repair any containers and never checked the work had been done as it trusted Pannell to follow the proper processes of the company. 'SeaRoad is satisfied you have committed serious misconduct. You have been the sole shareholder and director of ICSA from 2010 to date. We find your response that you did not know you held these positions to be fanciful,' a letter from SeaRoad to Pannell, tendered in the civil court case, read. A forensic search has also revealed that Pannell apologised to his wife Lynise Woodgate in an email sent in October, 2023. The email was titled 'Love U', and Pannell wrote: 'I'm so sorry for everything …. I don't know (w)here 3 years have gone, we have been so busy …. And had I realised everything I am feeling right now, 3 years ago … … I would not feel the way I do today. 'Hopefully your day is not too stressful u there, and enjoy your night.'
7NEWS
3 days ago
- 7NEWS
Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell rushed to hospital after car crash
Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell has reportedly had life-saving surgery after a car crash on a country road in Victoria. Pannell is wanted by the law and only yesterday there was mystery surrounding his whereabouts after he failed to show up at the Supreme Court. Now it has been reported that he is in a serious condition at The Alfred Hospital. He was reportedly 'rushed to Melbourne' after a 'single vehicle crash' on Friday night. 'It's understood Pannell's car ran off the road in rural western Victoria on Friday and hit a tree, with no other vehicle nearby at the time,' the News Corp report said. Pannell is being pursued by his former employer, SeaRoad Shipping, who allege he defrauded them over $8.7 million . The 48-year-old's name was called out at Victoria's Supreme Court on Friday but he was not in attendance. It's the second time he has missed a scheduled court appearance and arrest warrant was issued to bring the former AFL umpire before Justice Andrew Watson in a civil case. Only yesterday the court believed he had left Victoria and was possibly heading to South Australia. Officers have been instructed to keep him in custody until the next hearing. Pannell officiated 291 AFL games from 2005 to 2018 — including a controversial 2016 match where he awarded 17 free kicks to the eventual flag-winning Bulldogs and only one to Adelaide during a regular season game. It has been alleged that Pannell generated invoices to pay a company named Independent Container Surveyors & Assessors (ICSA) to repair damaged shipping containers, with each 'repair' costing SeaRoad $800 to $900. It is also alleged that Pannell had authority to approve purchase orders up to the value of $5000, and it was only when a finance manager noticed ICSA was not registered for GST that suspicions were raised. SeaRoad alleges ICSA did no work to repair any containers and never checked the work had been done as it trusted Pannell to follow the proper processes of the company. 'SeaRoad is satisfied you have committed serious misconduct. You have been the sole shareholder and director of ICSA from 2010 to date. We find your response that you did not know you held these positions to be fanciful,' a letter from SeaRoad to Pannell, tendered in the civil court case, read. A forensic search has also revealed that Pannell apologised to his wife Lynise Woodgate in an email sent in October, 2023. The email was titled 'Love U', and Pannell wrote: 'I'm so sorry for everything …. I don't know (w)here 3 years have gone, we have been so busy …. And had I realised everything I am feeling right now, 3 years ago … … I would not feel the way I do today. 'Hopefully your day is not too stressful u there, and enjoy your night.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
AFL umpire is caught out telling a stunning lie about his mother after dodging court AGAIN for allegedly masterminding $8.7million scam
Proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria have escalated against former AFL umpire Troy Pannell, who faces serious allegations of civil fraud totalling $8.7million. The court was again forced to issue an arrest warrant after Pannell failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on Friday, marking his second absence in relation to the case brought by his former employer, SeaRoad Shipping. Justice Andrew Watson, presiding over the matter, noted with concern the repeat non-appearance and authorised the warrant late Friday. That same evening, Pannell was involved in a serious single-vehicle crash in western Victoria, reportedly colliding with a tree. He remains in Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after undergoing emergency surgery. Police had been monitoring Pannell's movements amid suspicions he had been in South Australia, potentially to avoid court proceedings, and there are fears he may attempt to flee overseas. Pannell stands accused of orchestrating a prolonged scheme involving a company called Independent Container Surveyors & Assessors (ICSA). SeaRoad Shipping alleges the entity was used to generate thousands of fake invoices for container repair services that were never provided between 2015 and 2024. Court documents tendered state Pannell had sole authority over the approval of purchase orders, and used this position to process fraudulent payments to ICSA. In evidence tendered to the court, SeaRoad's legal team referred to numerous emails and financial documents suggesting Pannell was under financial pressure in the months leading up to the revelations. These included an email sent to his wife, Lynise Woodgate, in October 2023, with the subject line 'Love U,' in which he apologised, stating: 'I'm so sorry for everything… I would not feel the way I do today.' Further documents tendered showed Pannell and Ms Woodgate applied to extend their $100,000 home loan with Westpac in January 2024, submitting a breakdown of living expenses and personal financial details. Among the documents were statements relating to their family home, purchased in 2016 for $810,000 with an estimated $600,000 still owed, and an investment property in St Kilda generating rental income. It is not suggested that Ms Woodgate was involved in any of the alleged fraudulent conduct. In statements to investigators, she said the pair are now estranged and that she had no knowledge of the transactions under investigation. In a bizarre twist, court documents tendered reveal that Pannell previously told SeaRoad that his mother had passed away. However, ABC Investigations confirmed that Mrs Pannell answered the phone at her Werribee home this week, very much alive. Previous excuses provided by Pannell for failing to attend court have included striking a kangaroo with his vehicle. An email sent to court staff on May 9, just 35 minutes after a scheduled appearance, claimed the collision had damaged his windscreen and indicator, and he was awaiting roadside assistance. Police are now liaising with federal agencies, and SeaRoad's legal counsel, Mr Jonathan B. Davis KC, has called for Pannell to be added to the Australian Federal Police watchlist. 'Instead of going interstate, Mr Pannell could be in Bogota,' Mr Davis told the court. Emails found on a work-issued laptop also revealed that Mr Pannell had been preparing to sell two café businesses: Duck Duck Goose and Larder in Kyneton, and Common Galaxia in Seddon. A sales brochure prepared by Paramount Business Brokers was submitted to the court as part of the evidence. Pannell, who officiated 219 AFL matches between 2005 and 2018, previously served as president of the AFL Umpires' Association. The court adjourned the matter pending Pannell's medical recovery and execution of the arrest warrant. Further proceedings will determine the extent of civil liability and whether criminal charges may follow.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Ex-AFL umpire Troy Pannell accused of fraud fails to show up in court
The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of former AFL umpire Troy Pannell has continued after he failed to show up in court on Friday. Pannell's name was called out at Victoria's Supreme Court but he was not in attendance. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Troy Pannell fails to show up in court. It's the second time he has missed a scheduled court appearance. An arrest warrant has been issued to bring the former AFL umpire before Justice Andrew Watson in a civil case. His former employer, SeaRoad Shipping, is pursuing him over $8.7 million they allege he defrauded from them. 'The court believes he's left Victoria, possibly heading to South Australia,' 7NEWS reporter Rory Campbell said. 'If officers catch up with Troy Pannell, they're instructed to keep him in custody until the next hearing.' Pannell officiated 291 AFL games from 2005 to 2018 — including a controversial 2016 match where he awarded 17 free kicks to the eventual flag-winning Bulldogs and only one to Adelaide during a regular season game. Pannell allegedly defrauded shipping company SeaRoad Shipping $8.7 million over a decade, while working out of the Port of Melbourne, according to the Herald Sun . The scheme allegedly involved Pannell generating invoices to pay a company named Independent Container Surveyors & Assessors (ICSA) to repair damaged shipping containers. Each 'repair' cost SeaRoad $800 to $900. It is alleged Pannell had authority to approve purchase orders up to the value of $5000, and it was only when a finance manager noticed ICSA was not registered for GST that suspicions were raised. SeaRoad alleges ICSA did no work to repair any containers and never checked the work had been done as it trusted Pannell to follow the proper processes of the company. 'SeaRoad is satisfied you have committed serious misconduct. You have been the sole shareholder and director of ICSA from 2010 to date. We find your response that you did not know you held these positions to be fanciful,' a letter from SeaRoad to Pannell, tendered in the civil court case, read. It also comes as Herald Sun reports private emails uncovered in a forensic search revealed Pannell apologised to his wife Lynise Woodgate. In an email sent in October 2023 titled 'Love U', Pannell wrote: 'I'm so sorry for everything …. I don't know (w)here 3 years have gone, we have been so busy …. And had I realised everything I am feeling right now, 3 years ago … … I would not feel the way I do today. 'Hopefully your day is not too stressful u there, and enjoy your night.'
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Mystery surrounds whereabouts of ex-AFL umpire accused of fraud
The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of former AFL umpire Troy Pannell has continued after he failed to show up in court on Friday. Pannell's name was called out at Victoria's Supreme Court but he was not in attendance. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Troy Pannell fails to show up in court. It's the second time he has missed a scheduled court appearance. An arrest warrant has been issued to bring the former AFL umpire before Justice Andrew Watson in a civil case. Troy Pannell is on the run from the law. Credit: Getty Images His former employer, SeaRoad Shipping, is pursuing him over $8.7 million they allege he defrauded from them. 'The court believes he's left Victoria, possibly heading to South Australia,' 7NEWS reporter Rory Campbell said. 'If officers catch up with Troy Pannell, they're instructed to keep him in custody until the next hearing.' Pannell officiated 291 AFL games from 2005 to 2018 — including a controversial 2016 match where he awarded 17 free kicks to the eventual flag-winning Bulldogs and only one to Adelaide during a regular season game. Pannell allegedly defrauded shipping company SeaRoad Shipping $8.7 million over a decade, while working out of the Port of Melbourne, according to the Herald Sun. The scheme allegedly involved Pannell generating invoices to pay a company named Independent Container Surveyors & Assessors (ICSA) to repair damaged shipping containers. Each 'repair' cost SeaRoad $800 to $900. It is alleged Pannell had authority to approve purchase orders up to the value of $5000, and it was only when a finance manager noticed ICSA was not registered for GST that suspicions were raised. SeaRoad alleges ICSA did no work to repair any containers and never checked the work had been done as it trusted Pannell to follow the proper processes of the company. 'SeaRoad is satisfied you have committed serious misconduct. You have been the sole shareholder and director of ICSA from 2010 to date. We find your response that you did not know you held these positions to be fanciful,' a letter from SeaRoad to Pannell, tendered in the civil court case, read. It also comes as Herald Sun reports private emails uncovered in a forensic search revealed Pannell apologised to his wife Lynise Woodgate. In an email sent in October 2023 titled 'Love U', Pannell wrote: 'I'm so sorry for everything …. I don't know (w)here 3 years have gone, we have been so busy …. And had I realised everything I am feeling right now, 3 years ago … … I would not feel the way I do today. 'Hopefully your day is not too stressful u there, and enjoy your night.'
