Arabic version: لجنة الجرائم في نيو ساوث ويلز تستولي على 30 مليون دولار من ممتلكات عائلة أوبيد

The NSW Crime Commission says it has taken control of more than $30 million worth of properties linked to former state Labor politician Eddie Obeid. This action follows a decade-long investigation into what has been described as one of New South Wales’ most brazen acts of corruption.

According to ABC News, the commission’s lawyers secured a restraining order during a closed Supreme Court hearing, preventing any dealings with the Obeid Corporation’s assets. The properties, located in Bankstown, are said to be hidden assets concealed within complex trusts.

NSW Crime Commissioner Stephen Dametto emphasized that this restraining order is a crucial first step in a lengthy legal process aimed at returning the proceeds of crime to the taxpayers of New South Wales. He noted the challenges posed by the intricate web of trusts that the Obeid family used to hide their assets.

Dametto highlighted that new evidence and recent legislative changes facilitated the commission’s actions. He indicated that the elimination of a six-year limit on recovering proceeds of crime was instrumental in their success. The commission now expects a lengthy legal process to ensure that the funds remain inaccessible to the Obeid family.