Arabic version: الدفاع يقول إن ووسوب بذل «أفضل جهد» بشأن أموال الصناديق الاستئمانية

According to ABC News, lawyers for Ankumuthi traditional owner Larry Joe Woosup told the Cairns District Court his actions showed a “best effort” to account for money, rather than a “dishonest mind”. Woosup has pleaded not guilty to two fraud charges, each involving a value of $30,000 or more.

The court heard during closing statements that Woosup and another community member arranged a bauxite-mining deal after an earlier community agreement reached a stalemate. Woosup later established trust accounts at two banks for the Ankumuthi community and was the sole trustee. The jury was told it was undisputed that he transferred and withdrew $110,000 using overdraft capacity on one account, while a $95,000 mining-company cheque paid into the other account was also withdrawn.

Crown prosecutor Christian Peters said Woosup’s alleged dishonesty was set out “in black and white”. He pointed to cash withdrawals, records including purchases of three cars and accommodation expenses, and responses in a federal court questionnaire. The questionnaire listed $13,000 over a fortnight as “personal expenses” and several withdrawals of up to $5,000 as “Trust bills”.

The prosecution also relied on evidence that Woosup apologised and sought forgiveness when community members confronted him over rumours about the money. Peters said this amounted to an admission that funds were not used for the trusts’ principal purposes, which required money to benefit the Ankumuthi community.

Defence barrister Matt Jackson said Woosup engaged an accountant and supplied bank statements and receipts when questions arose. He said cash payments were not unusual, argued the prosecution had not shown the money did not return to the community, and said the cars were used for cultural surveys. Judge Joshua Treviño KC began summing up to the jury and will continue when court resumes on Monday.