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Australian Story: July 26

Australian Story will see entrepreneur Glenn Wheatley talking about his fall from grace for the first time since being released from prison.

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Monday night’s Australian Story will see entrepreneur Glenn Wheatley talking about his fall from grace for the first time since being released from prison.

“I almost needed help the moment I walked out of that court. And the thing that was still ringing in my ears, the last sentence from the judge was, ‘Take the prisoner away’. Take the prisoner away. I was devastated. I just broke down. Couldn’t believe what had just happened in my life. Glenn Wheatley was going to jail.”– Glenn Wheatley

An undisputed heavyweight of the Australian music industry, entrepreneur Glenn Wheatley was accustomed to life in the spotlight, as a member of the Masters Apprentices, and later as manager of a stellar line up of Australian acts such as John Farnham, Delta Goodrem, Little River Band, Pseudo Echo and Australian Crawl.

However, the media glare turned hostile in 2005 amidst a very public and unexpected fall from grace.

While Glenn Wheatley was on tour with John Farnham, a SWAT team was raiding the family home.

Investigators had uncovered a link to a major tax evasion racket involving some dubious offshore transactions.

Wheatley says he soon became the “poster boy” for the ATO’s Operation Wickenby, but his network of high profile supporters remained steadfast.

“A lot of people tell me every day that I’m not Robinson Crusoe – there’s plenty of it going on. But that doesn’t make me feel any better about what I did,” Wheatley said.

With candid admissions from Glenn, wife Gaynor, legal representatives and music industry alumni, this edition
explores the rise, fall and return of an entertainment legend.

It airs 8pm Monday on ABC1.

7 Responses

  1. Nobody could go through what he has been through without some deep soul-searching and a desire to change for the better. Given the fact he paid back the money I think the sentence was very harsh. I admire him and his young family who must have come under fire from all angles in this media-driven world. He can take over managing my son’s band any day he likes!

  4. I couldn’t believe how incredibly shallow the Wheatleys looked in this self-serving display of their fall from the high life. For goodness sake people are bravely facing extraordinary challenges far beyond near bankruptcy alongside private school fees! Are we Really supposed to feel sorry for him??? As for the comment about having to work on the factory floor let alone with people he didn’t want to be with ….please! A very disappointing story this week.

  5. such a harsh punishment for a man who has contributed so so much to Australian entertainment and music. A true family man with a wonderful wife and children.
    Under $400,000 owed Yet our drug kings, organised crime groups get away with lives and millions of $$$$$$$$. He was obviously a publicity tool to demonstrate to the public the crime of tax evasion.

    To the Wheatley Family…….yr amazing and Glen should hold his head high that he came through it with courage and dignity.
    I cried and cried at the compassion this family displays for each other and thier friends…..Well done Australian Story, I will watch this over and over….

  6. Whilst I don’t like to see anyone going to prison, the question begs;

    How much is enough for a person with your great life Glen?

    Corruption and greed is devastating the lives of billions on this planet, yet we don’t see an Australian Story about that?

    It’s the poor, those struggling to make ends meat who are being asked to pay more, because people like you rob the Government of the taxes needed to provide for everyone.

    This is just another Public Relations exercise to reinstate this greedy individual back into his decadent lifestyle, nothing more and nothing less.

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