An ex-stripper and spiritual healer known as “The Vitality King” is set to stand trial after he was accused of being involved in an international money laundering operation which allegedly saw $2.3 million illegally moved offshore.
Jamie Ronald Close faced Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday to enter the pleas, appearing via audiovisual link from an undisclosed location.
The 50-year-old sat silently as the list of 58 charges laid against him was read out. Federal prosecutors told the court the vast bulk of the charges, which included participating in a criminal group, importing suspected proceeds of crime and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, were withdrawn.
The court heard Mr Close was now charged with seven offences which included aiding and abetting the receipt of more than $100,000 in suspected proceeds of crime and providing overseas money transfer services while unregistered with the Australian regulator.
Mr Close’s lawyer told the court pleas of not guilty would be entered to all charges.
In 2020, Mr Close and his co-accused, Mark Estephan, 41, came to the attention of police and AUSTRAC (the Australian Transactions Reports and Analysis Centre) after an investigation was launched into a group accused of committing fraud and illegally transferring massive amounts of cash to offshore accounts.
Mr Close, who previously worked as a stripper with the Australian Chippendales and offered motivational life coaching and “spiritual healing services”, spent four weeks remanded in custody after his arrest and before he was granted strict bail and placed under effective house arrest.
Mr Estaphan, was also granted bail and court documents show he was hit with more than 100 anti-money laundering charges which he has entered no pleas to.
An alleged victim reportedly drew authorities’ attention to Mr Close and Mr Estephan, who was the founder of ACE Global Consulting, a get-rich-quick scheme which offered investors the prospect of low risk and high returns.
Mr Estaphan’s case returns to court on April 12, while Mr Close’s will be mentioned in the District Court on April 29.
