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The Guardian

Two Australian-based ex-soldiers on charges in US after allegedly impersonating law enforcement officers



Pair allegedly acted for wealthy Chinese woman who financed bogus Los Angeles raid to settle business dispute, US attorney’s office says Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastTwo former soldiers based in Australia allegedly pretended to be law enforcement officials and threatened a Los Angeles businessman with violence and deportation unless he handed over almost US$37m, according to US court documents.Matthew Phillip Hart, 41, a former member of the Australian military, and Max Samuel Bennett Turbett, 39, a former member of the British military and UK citizen who lives in Australia, were charged along with two other men on 1 August, the US attorney’s office said in a statement.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading…



Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/13/australian-soldiers-matthew-phillip-hart-max-samuel-bennett-turbett-us-charges-impersonating-law-enforcement-raid-ntwnfb

Author : Nino Bucci Justice and courts reporter

Publish date : 2024-08-13 05:37:30

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Tags : The Guardian