Australian tax official facing charges over son's alleged fraud

  • 18/05/2017
Michael Cranston (AFR).
Michael Cranston (AFR).

One of Australia's senior tax officials has been caught up in a major fraud investigation involving his son.

Deputy Australian Taxation Office (ATO) commissioner Michael Cranston faces charges of abusing his position as a public official.

It comes hours after his son Adam Cranston, 30, was accused of allegedly scamming $165m from the Commonwealth.

While the allegation against Michael Cranston is related to his son's scam charges, it is not believed he knew of his son's activities, news.com.au reports. His 24-year-old daughter is also facing charges

Police allege his son asked him to access "some information", news.com.au says.

Mr Cranston has been with the ATO for more than 30 years.

The alleged fraud involved a payroll company which filtered payments through another company, to avoid paying full income tax.

The investigation was codenamed Operation Elbrus.

Michael Cranston will appear in Sydney's Central Local Court on June 13.

Newshub.