The Accusations Unveiled
In a startling turn of events, allegations have emerged against a member of the Australian Federal Police, William Wheatley. The accusations suggest that Wheatley, during a steroid trafficking investigation in Melbourne, unlawfully appropriated 81.616 Bitcoin, then valued at approximately $450,000. Alongside this, Wheatley faces additional charges of handling property believed to be proceeds of crime and leveraging confidential information for personal gain.
Investigation Unfolds
Following the discovery of an emptied Trezor hardware wallet, investigators embarked on a painstaking journey to trace the missing Bitcoin. Their efforts led to a surprising revelation—an IP address linked to the Australian Federal Police headquarters. This shocking discovery raised profound suspicions of potential police involvement in the disappearance of the cryptocurrency, casting a shadow over the integrity of law enforcement.
Denial and Legal Proceedings
Facing the accusations head-on, William Wheatley made a defiant appearance before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. With unwavering resolve, he denied all allegations leveled against him. Asserting his innocence, Wheatley adamantly stated that he did not exploit his position as a law enforcement officer for personal gain. His legal representative, Luke Barker, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the circumstantial nature of the case against his client.
Despite Wheatley’s steadfast denial, legal proceedings continue to unfold. The County Court has scheduled further hearings on the matter, underscoring the gravity of the allegations and the complexity of the case at hand.
Australian Federal Policeman Wheatley Denies Allegations
The officer on Friday, appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, denying all the accusations against him. He pled not guilty for stealing cryptocurrencies from Trezor wallet during the ring investigation.
He said that he did not misuse information obtained in his role as an investigation officer to benefit himself. Furthermore, his lawyer Luke Barker, told the court that the case is “circumstantial” against his client.
The County Court has scheduled next hearing on the case in March, the report added.
