Courts / Dublin / Report

Businessman 'duped' into becoming involved in €1.4m money-laundering scheme, defence say

Summary

Silvio Rabbitte, 55, of Castleknock, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of impeding the apprehension of his co-accused, Wesley Williams, between September 2012 and July 2014. Williams, 46, of Ratoath, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud. Both men were involved in a €1.4 million money-laundering scheme where funds from German investors were transferred into a shared account. Rabbitte received €350,000, while Williams also received a sum. The defence argued Rabbitte was duped and acted with recklessness, noting he had no previous convictions. Simon Gold, 59, of Athlone, Co Westmeath, was previously found guilty by a jury of money laundering, theft, deception, and control of false instruments, and was jailed for seven years in 2019. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the matter for finalisation on February 7 next year, stating he would sentence Rabbitte after hearing evidence in Williams' case. Rabbitte was remanded on continuing bail until that date. The court noted that the charge against Rabbitte was only recently offered to him, and that the Criminal Assets Bureau had seized €190,000 from his ill-gotten gains.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Businessman 'duped' into becoming involved in €1.4m money-laundering scheme, defence say. Charges or matters: one count of impeding the apprehension of his co-accused, Wesley Williams, within the State on dates between September 2012 and July 2014; one count of fraud in relation to his involvement in the matter and will be sentenced next February; was only recently offered to him. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• September 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 30, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 9 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 1, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 22, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 7 Adjournment
• 2023-12-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report