Ben Currie arrested, charged with fraud

8 months ago

Disgraced trainer Ben Currie has been arrested in his hometown, Toowoomba, following a 14-month-long investigation by the Queensland Racing Crime Squad.

According to The Courier Mail, Currie has been charged with aggravated fraud and stands accused of allegations that he sourced performance-enhancing substances for his horses and dishonestly claimed the winnings.

"It is alleged the offender has engaged in systematic fraudulent behaviour over a period from November 2016 to March 2019 where he has sourced and administered unregulated horse supplements designed to enhance race performance in a manner to circumvent current testing methodology in Queensland thoroughbred racing," a Queensland Police statement read.

"As a result, it is further alleged the offender has dishonestly gained a benefit through entitlement to prize money distributed by Racing Queensland for thoroughbred races in Queensland over that time.

Disqualified horse trainer Ben Currie outside court after being charged with aggravated fraud. @7NewsToowoomba pic.twitter.com/zRzshMn6yL

— Carissa Kemp (@CarissaKemp_7) June 25, 2019

"The man has been charged with one count of aggravated fraud (Criminal Code) and has been bailed to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court July 15, 2019."

Outside Toowoomba police station, Currie said, "I don't even know what the charges are, to be honest. I don't even know what it's about".

The Queensland Racing and Integrity Commission (QRIC) recently disqualified the 28-year-old for seven-and-a-half years over a raft of charges, including racing horses with cocaine in their system. He was also fined $45,000.

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