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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/18/schapelle-corby-police-raid-channel-seven-offices-over-proceeds
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Schapelle Corby: police raid Channel Seven offices over 'crime proceeds' | Schapelle Corby: police raid Channel Seven offices over 'crime proceeds' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Federal police in Sydney have conducted raids at the Seven Network’s office in Pyrmont and the headquarters of New Idea magazine in Eveleigh. | |
| More than 20 federal police officers entered the offices at 8.55am on Tuesday as part of an investigation into proceeds of crime derived by Schapelle Corby. | |
| “The federal police … barged in wanting to look at the payment registers, which is completely outrageous,’’ the Seven West commercial director, Bruce McWilliam, told The Australian newspaper. | |
| “It’s a big attack on the press. It’s terrible what’s happening. | |
| “It’s a gross overreaction. The government has called to say they did not know this was happening.” | |
| Seven’s Sunday Night program is believed to have secured an interview with the high-profile Australian former prisoner, who was released from Bali’s Kerobokan prison last week after serving nine years for smuggling marijuana. | |
| Seven West’s New Idea magazine is also thought to be involved in the deal. McWilliam said the office of New Idea editor, Kim Wilson, was searched by police. | |
| The fee for the Corby interview has been reported to be as high as $3m, but this figure has been disputed by the Corby family and Seven West. | |
| “[The fee] probably falls far short of what someone in the federal police imagines it should say. It’s a very small figure,” McWilliam said. | |
| He also revealed that the network had been served with a proceeds of crime production order relating to the deal which, he said, had been fully co-operated with. | |
| “Full compliance has occurred. Documents were handed over immediately,’’ McWilliam said. | |
| “You’ve got some heavy-handed goon who thinks they can just come storming in and terrorise people who are trying to carry on their duties. | |
| “We’ve given them everything we have. We don’t think it was what they were expecting to see, so they think we’re not co-operating with the order.” | |
| He suggested that police might remain at Seven West’s office for up to 24 hours. | |
| Federal police confirmed the raid. “The AFP can confirm it has executed a number of search warrants in Sydney in relation to an ongoing Proceeds of Crime Act matter,” a spokesman said. | |
| “As this matter is ongoing, it is not appropriate for the AFP to comment any further.” | “As this matter is ongoing, it is not appropriate for the AFP to comment any further.” |
| Since 2003 federal authorities have had the power to confiscate literary funds derived from criminal activities. | |
| Queensland’s attorney general, Jarrod Bleijie, conceded on Friday that the Queensland state government would be powerless to confiscate any money Corby earned from selling her story. | |
| “Following legal advice, the state is not in a position to pursue the matter further but we would provide any support to the federal government if it was able and chose to do so,” Bleijie said. | |
| Indonesian authorities have warned Corby it would be “stupid” to speak to the media, suggesting any interviews could see her parole revoked. |