Solicitor pays the price for money laundering

15 DECEMBER

Editor's Note: : 1. Solicitor Brian Dougan (dob 15/3/57) of 28 Brootally Road, Milford, Armagh BT60 4DY and trading from office premises at 6 Russell Street, Armagh, Northern Ireland (where he was originally arrested). 2. Thomas Martin McCague (dob 25/04/74) of 32, Rosemount Avenue, Armagh, BT60 1BD was convicted in his absence in June 2005 to five years on each charge of conspiracy to evade excise duty on hydrocarbon oils and conspiracy to launder the proceeds of criminal conduct (to run concurrently). Peter Hollier added: "We would also be very interested to hear from anyone with information on the whereabouts of McCague one of the principles linked to this fraud - who absconded in 2005. Don't forget you can talk to one of our officers in complete confidence, on our confidential helpline 0800 59 5000, 24 hours a day." 3. Photograph of McCague available upon request from Press Office below. 4. For further details of the HMRC cash seizure statistics read the Annual Report 2004-2005 available online at www.hmrc.gov.uk 5. The Revenue & Customs Prosecution Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 7 April 2005. It is an independent prosecuting authority reporting directly to the Attorney General. Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office Team Media enquiries only please contact: Avril Clydesdale Tel: 028 9056 2718 Mobile: 07720 074218 Out of hours Tel: 07860 359544 Website www.hmrc.gov.uk HM Revenue and Customs
London, 15 DECEMBER /PRNewswire-GNN/ --

HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS News Release (HMRC NI 41/06) issued by The Government
News Network on 15 December 2006
AMENDED RELEASE

A confiscation hearing in Liverpool Crown Court this week ordered a convicted
solicitor to pay £86,500, including costs. Brian Dougan from Armagh, had
previously been jailed for his part in a £300,000 fraud.

Peter Hollier, HMRC Criminal Investigations NW said:

"HM Revenue & Customs will not tolerate anyone abusing their professional
position of trust to assist criminals in their attempts to disguise income
or launder the cash from their crimes. This case was linked to a gang who
were prosecuted last year for a major oils fraud and this demonstrates our
commitment to remove every level of any conspiracy to defraud the Revenue
and to recover any financial gains made by the criminals."

"Dougan abused his position of trust to launder the proceeds of organised
crime and as such was as guilty of an attack on the UK's Revenue system as
those who organised and ran the original oils fraud."

"Most crime is motivated by money - prevention of money laundering and
seizure of cash and assets stops serious crime. If you know of any suspicious
activities that may be linked to suspicious financial transactions or have
witnessed people handling large amounts of cash, call our confidential
24-hour freephone 0800 59 5000. Help us to take the cash out of crime."

Judge Swift said upon sentencing Dougan (in July): "You were a professional
man and respected in the community. You were ideally placed to launder
illicit funds. Professional people have an obligation and must accept their
responsibilities. Money laundering is a particular matter of concern and
with its links to organised crime, must carry with it, the risk of serious
consequences."

Following a lengthy investigation into suspicious activity into the oils
gang from across the UK, HM Revenue & Customs investigators examined the
origin of large sums of money passing through Dougan business accounts
on behalf of Thomas McCague one of the gang leaders. An analysis of the
financial records identified transactions totalling over £300,000 in 2001
and 2002 linked to property purchases in Northern Ireland. Dougan pleaded
guilty to suspecting £66,500 he handled was money laundering on behalf of
Thomas McCague (a convicted fuel fraudster) on 22 May 2006.

On Tuesday 12 December, Dougan was issued with a confiscation order for the
full £66,500 he handled plus court costs of £20,000 to be paid within 12
months or he faces another custodial sentence. Dougan had originally been
sentenced to three months in jail for his part in the fraud on 24 July 2006
at Liverpool Crown Court.

This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions
Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority, which reports
to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC
cases in England and Wales.

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