Courts / Leitrim / Report

Psychic "is not Walter Mitty", prosecution tell deception trial

Summary

At the trial of Simon Gold (54) of Augharan, Aughavas, Co. Leitrim, charged with 22 counts including money laundering, theft, deception, and control of false instruments between January 1, 2010, and October 22, 2012, the prosecution has stated that Gold 'is not Walter Mitty' and that he created fake documents that 'conned real people out of real money in real life'. Gold has pleaded not guilty. The jury has heard that Gold represented himself as a highly qualified financier, merchant banker, or financial consultant. The trial has heard that Gold accepted he used multiple names, including Simon Gould, Simon Magnier, and Niall O'Donoghue, and that he is responsible for an Ulster Bank account in the name of Anglo Irish Global Ltd. The prosecution has stated that Gold operated companies such as Anglo Irish Global Ltd, Belgravia Consultants Ltd, Elite Bank Group, and Irish Nationwide Bank, which he described as a 'virtual bank' not authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland. The prosecution alleges that Gold stole money from Danish businessman Kurt Lauridsen in 2012 and laundered it, and that he admitted to being in possession of two tranches of €800,000 belonging to Lauridsen. The prosecution also claims that two Irish men transferred €28,000 and £30,000 respectively into the account of Belgravia Consultants Ltd, and that two other Irish men transferred £10,000 each into the account of Anglo Irish Global Ltd. The trial continues tomorrow before Judge Nolan and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Psychic "is not Walter Mitty", prosecution tell deception trial. Charges or matters: 22 charges including money laundering, theft, deception and control of false instruments on dates between January 1, 2010 and October 22, 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 1, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 22, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-06-04 Publication

Why: Mr McGinn said it appeared that Mr Gold was being used as much as Mr Lauridsen, as he was the one who ended up "carrying the can" because the account which the funds were transferred to was linked to him. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Trial Theft

Related court reports

• Psychic scammer loses appeal against €1.6m money laundering conviction
• 'Psychic' Gold further sentenced on fraud charges
• "Devious" psychic who laundered €1.6m is jailed
• "Psychic" guilty of €1.6m deception
• Jury deliberating in psychic's money laundering trial
• Farmer tells trial of "fictitious" bank letter

Read the original CNI report