‘Greedy’ son of ATO boss Adam Cranston jailed after orchestrating $105million tax scam

The “greedy” son of the former deputy Australian tax commissioner has been sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for orchestrating $105 million tax fraud.

Adam Cranston, who called himself ‘the biggest fraudster in NSW’, appeared before the NSW High Court via audiovisual link on Tuesday after being found guilty of conspiracy to dishonestly harm the Commonwealth and conspiracy to steal the proceeds of a tackle crime worth millions of dollars.

During the years he ran the tax scam, Cranston admitted to regular use of ketamine (a powerful anesthetic), cocaine, and LSD (aka acid).

The 36-year-old looked anxious and worried in his prison green and neon reflective vest as he was convicted of defrauding taxpayers of more than $105 million over three years.

After a trial that lasted nearly 11 months, a jury found Cranston guilty of directing the tax fraud and money laundering through his company, Plutus Payroll.

Former son of tax boss Adam Cranston (left) with one of the luxury cars among 25 vehicles, 18 residences, 12 motorcycles, watches, vintage wines, jewelery and artwork seized by police

From April 2014 to May 2017, the court was told that taxes were shifted from the payroll company to second-tier companies instead of being paid to the ATO.

The court was told that Cranston personally pocketed more than $6.8 million, which he splurged on luxury cars, properties, and even an airplane.

On Tuesday, Justice Anthony Payne SC found that Cranston committed the offenses ‘not out of need but out of greed’.

He sentenced the fraudster to 15 years behind bars with a non-parole period of 10 years.

Cranston is eligible for release on March 5, 2033.

Justice Payne claimed the tax fraud had a “corrosive impact on society” because it robbed the community of $105 million that could have been used to build hospitals or schools.

He said the stolen funds would have to be recouped through cuts in government services or higher taxes.

The Supreme Court judge found Cranston did not appreciate the impact of his “gross violation” of societal rules and had not shown commensurate remorse.

The court was told he had described his role in the staggering tax fraud as “wrong, impulsive, stupid, greedy” and expressed regret.

However, Crown Prosecutor Rae Sharp KC argued that Cranston’s remorse was ‘limited’ and focused mainly on the impact on his family.

She characterized Cranston as “one of the major plotters and architects of the scheme.”

“He was well aware of the criminal purpose of the plan and the means by which it would be achieved,” she argued at the sentencing hearing earlier this month.

But Cranston’s lawyer, John Stratton SC, claimed his client had been “kept in the dark” by Plutus Payroll founder Simon Anquetil, whom he called “the designer of the scheme.”

Judge Payne disagreed, holding that Cranston “knew at all times that Plutus was neither legitimate nor profitable.”

“I reject any suggestions that Mr. Anquetil was more involved in the conspiracies than Mr. Cranston or that he was the main architect,” he said.

“Obviously, Mr. Anquetil has never had any control over these (second-rate companies).”

The court was told he had been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and substance abuse disorder.

Justice Payne said Cranston (pictured) “knew at all times that Plutus was neither legitimate nor profitable”

Still, Mrs. Sharpe insisted that Cranston’s “prolonged, willing and enthusiastic participation” in the plots could not be attributed to his mental health problems or drug use.

Justice Payne agreed, noting that Cranston had consciously engaged in “a persistent line of conduct that was neither spontaneous nor opportunistic.”

Despite the long prison sentence imposed on her husband, Cranston’s wife stood by him.

“Even though Adam made a big mistake, I know he is a good person and a loving father,” she wrote in a letter to the court.