Alleged Vic fraudsters face bail battle
Two alleged fraudsters with links to an outlaw motorcycle gang are accused of standover tactics to secure more than $220,000 in loans while on bail.
Prosecutors are seeking to revoke the bail of professional poker player William Jordanou and accountant Robert Zaia, claiming the pair will only stop reoffending if jailed.
Jordanou, 55, and Zaia, 49, are each facing 146 fraud-related charges after allegedly using false documents to receive $100 million in loans.
But police claim that while on bail, the pair were among a group who forced a man, known as Georgio, to use fake documents to secure loans totalling $224,326 to purchase a boat and Jeep.
The group, including Jordanou, Zaia and two outlaw bikies, allegedly threatened to harm Georgio's baby if he did not sign for the dodgy loans last September.
Detective Senior Constable Scott Trewhella told Melbourne Magistrates Court that Georgio was told: "You need to do it, because you've got a family to think of".
The court heard Georgio told staff at the Chadstone Jeep dealership he was signing the loan for the vehicle under duress after the threat to his baby.
But despite this confession the dealership's business manager went through with the sale.
Police are yet to charge either Jordanou or Zaia over the allegations.
David Grace QC, for Jordanou, said the allegations amounted to "hearsay upon hearsay".
"There's no specific act attributable to him (Jordanou)," Mr Grace said.
Zaia's defence counsel, Michael Fitzgerald, said Georgio's claims against his client were "fanciful".
He said Zaia, of Lysterfield, could expect to dwell in jail for up to two years before any potential trial if bail was revoked.
Magistrate Susie Cameron will rule on the bail revocation bid on Thursday.
Jordanou, of Narre Warren, has competed in several top poker tournaments, including the Aussie Millions.
Police claim he was acting as a consultant to Zaia's accounting firm when they allegedly obtained about $100 million of loans illegally, including $20 million from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
They face a committal hearing on those charges in April.
