XN000022-1979-07-04 — Page 7

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1979

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STEPS TAKEN TO SEIZE PETER GODBER'S ASSETS

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN STEPS TO SEIZE THE ASSETS OF PETER GODBER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN GRIFFITHS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE ASSETS INCLUDE A COTTAGE AND JOINT BANK ACCOUNT HELD BY GODBER AND HIS WIFE.

THE ACTION WAS TAKEN AFTER GOVERNMENT'S SOLICITORS IN LONDON OBTAINED ON JUNE 7 A JUDGEMENT IN DEFAULT OF APPEARANCE BY GODBER AND HIS WIFE IN THE SUM OF ALMOST $4.2 MILLION.

MR. GRIFFITHS SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON, LYDIA DUNN THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S SOLICITORS IN LONDON HAD OBTAINED ON JUNE 12 A +CHARGING ORDER NIS!+ UPON THE COTTAGE - THE FIRST STEP IN THE LEGAL PROCESS OF SEIZURE AND SALE.

+AN APPLICATION IS CURRENTLY BEFORE THE HIGH COURT IN LONDON TO REGISTER THIS CHARGE AGAINST MR. AND MRS. GODBER, BOTH SOLELY AND JOINTLY, BECAUSE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS STAGE TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW THE TITLE TO THE COTTAGE IN VESTED.

+AS FAR AS THE BANK ACCOUNT IS CONCERNED, THIS HAD BEEN FROZEN BY THE COURT UNDER A GARNISHEE ORDER NISI AND IN DUE TIME IT WILL BE SEQUESTRATED BY DUE PROCESS OF LAW, HE SAID.

MR. GRIFFITHS SAID THE PRESENT WHEREABOUTS OF GODBER AND HIS WIFE ARE NOT KNOWN, BUT THEY WERE BELIEVED TO BE AWAY FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.

+THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WELCOME ANY RELIABLE INFORMATION WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN GIVE US AS TO THEIR PRESENT EXACT WHEREABOUTS. BECAUSE IT IS OUR INTENTION, ONCE WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE, TO PURSUE THEM AS RELENTLESSLY AS WE CAN, UNTIL EVERY PENNY OF THE $4.2 MILLION IS RECOVERED, HE SAID.

MR. GRIFFITHS ALSO APPEALED FOR ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING OTHER ASSETS BELONGING TO THE GODBERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT.

+ IF ANY OTHER ASSETS IN THE UK ARE FOUND IN THE NAME OF GODBER OR HIS WIFE THE GOVERNMENT'S LONDON SOLICITORS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION, HE ASSURED,

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