Operation Bangkok: Minter Ellison Searches For Missing CFO Craig Raneberg

The search continues for Minter Ellison’s former CFO Craig Raneberg. Alleged to have misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from the firm’s equity partner accounts, Mr Raneberg reportedly fled Australia in late July – around the approximate time that Minter Ellison reportedly discovered three suspicious transactions, each involving $8,750. Mr Wells QC, appearing for Minters, submitted:

There was direct evidence of unauthorised withdrawals from the firm’s practice account connected to the corresponding unauthorised deposits in the defendant’s salary account

Minter Ellison filed an application earlier this month to suppress various documents relating to the firm’s financials. But when the firm sought to serve process on Mr Raneberg, its efforts proved futile. According to The Australian:

Jonathan Wells QC said it had not been possible to serve Mr Raneberg with the documents relating to the freezing order.

“He’s not within the jurisdiction,” Mr Wells said. He “has left and our attempts to find him have so far failed”.

Despite being unable to locate Mr Raneberg for service, the firm appears to have a strong lead on his probable location, with evidence reportedly in suppressed documents indicating he is holed up in Bangkok (no word on whether he is growing a beard). Supposing Mr Raneberg decides to remain in Bangkok indefinitely, then, as the ledger currently stands, there is nothing preventing him from doing so. Mr Raneberg is presently only facing the civil action brought by Minters and the police are powerless to force the international extradition of a person who fails to attend court over a civil matter. That being so, police investigations on the allegations are continuing, with Detective Superintendent Jim Jeffrey telling The Australian:

The matter is being investigated by the major fraud investigation section. Given that it is a current investigation, no further information will be released at this point in time relating to the status, anticipated duration or processes involved.

Send the Firm Spy your news and views!

Operation Bangkok: Minter Ellison Searches For Missing CFO Craig Raneberg, 4.3 out of 5 based on 6 ratings