Australian Federal Police raid Seven offices over Schapelle deal
Video: AFP officers raid the offices of Channel Seven as part of an investigation into the proceeds of crime.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News, Top Stories
Australian Federal Police officers have raided the offices of Channel Seven in both Pyrmont and Eveleigh today as part of an investigation into the proceeds of crime, following its dealings with Schapelle Corby.
Fairfax reports twelve AFP officers arrived about 8:55am this morning and were still in Seven buildings at 10.30am.
An Australian Federal Police spokesman said: “The AFP can confirm it has executed a number of search warrants in Sydney in relation to an ongoing Proceeds of Crime Act matter. As this matter is ongoing it’s not appropriate for the AFP to comment further.”
Seven has reportedly agreed to a $2m pricetag for the Corby interview.
This morning Seven news ran footage of the raid int their own offices with a “First on Seven” watermark.
“As this matter is ongoing, it is not appropriate for the AFP to comment any further,” a spokeswoman for the AFP told news.com.au.
Mike Willesee says he is still hopeful of an interview despite the Corby family indicating it would comply with advice from Indonesian authorities not to proceed. still not spoken to his star subject but was “absolutely” hopeful the paid interview would go ahead.
Seven has been contacted for comment.
UPDATE: Seven commercial director Bruce McWilliam told The Australian the raid was an attack on the press.
“It’s a gross overreaction. The government has called to say they did not know this was happening,” he said.
“Full compliance has occurred. Documents were handed over immediately.
“You’ve got some heavy-handed goon who thinks they can just come storming in and terrorise people who are trying to carry on their duties.”
McWilliam said Seven’s offer for the Corby interview was well under $1 million — not the $2 million reported.
AFP officers objected to Seven cameras filming the incident.
37 Responses
They walk into a TV channel and expect not to be filmed. What were they thinking?
How thick is that officer in that video. Asking that man for an address to Martin Place. Clearly very little research or preparation went into their raid.
Looks like the unpaid interns have a lot of filing work to do.
I can just picture the guys reading the news, with the police in the background going through their things.
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again, she can’t really give a ‘proper’ interview till she’s safely home in Australia. She’s very limited what she can say while in Indonesia on parole.
Yes it’s all a big conspiracy Andrew_83
@dansdans, asking nicely and showing up with flowers would have been much more productive than raiding and trashing the wrong building.
“Did they consider asking nicely”
Thats the stupidest thing I have ever read
Maybe they should have turned up with flowers?
For those who are unaware of Seven’s footprint: News, current affairs programs and Sunrise come from Martin Place, Head Office is at Pyrmont, and Studios for ‘Home & Away’ etc at Eveleigh. There are no camera crews of any kind stationed at the head office in Pyrmont.
Just a distraction from the real issues of an asylum seekers death and injuries/riots. Not to mention Murdoch’s payout.
Remember what happened last time serious political news on Asylum seekers came out? They attacked the ABC.
smoke and mirrors.
Just when I thought the Schapelle Corby stuff was done with!
some pictures emerging on twitter, looks like the AFP really trashed the place. did they consider asking politely before this? could be really embarrassing for the AFP if it turns out they raided the wrong building. the information about where 7s to find Sunday Night can be found from a google search, which that guy in the video clearly didn’t do. Looking for the Sunday Night ep in Prymont. lol.
I heard the cops were actually looking for some decent shows in high definition…they left empty handed
LOL @ Bill. Pay that.
@Bogues – it’s only illegal to profit from the crime if you’re the person convicted for it. Paying Rachelle Louise for an interview is no different to paying Lisa Harnum’s family/friends for their involvement in the story.
‘AFP officers objected to Seven cameras filming the incident.’…….well I guess if you raid a TV stations news room…kind of to be expected?!?…and besides….with camera/videos attached to phones and every other piece of technology these days….everyone is filming …everything….everywhere….no one is safe.
I thought that because the offence was committed in Bali, that the Australian proceeds of crimes laws didn’t apply in this case. I don’t think Seven has done anything wrong at all.
1 mil, 2 mil. Even if it’s just paying for her current holiday home, that’s still too much to pay a convicted person.
Love the first on seven watermark. I’d be concerned if Nine managed to get into Sevens office’s faster than themselves!
The “news” portion of this is that 7 aren’t above the law, despite their opinion to the contrary.
I love the sequel telemovie idea David. Definitely a lol moment, unless it is true (lets hope not)
Do we know for sure this is about Corby? Sunday Night had a paid interview with Simon Gittany’s partner this month. Could it be related to that?
Seven News said Schapelle. A bit weird they didn’t realise Sunday Night offices were at Martin Place.
Please, please, please, can someone call Working Dog and tell them we need a new season of Frontline.
They don’t need to look too far for material. This farce from Seven just keeps getting worse.
Just watched the video – all those sales types puffing their chests up! Even a two bit thief knows what a warrant is. They seemed to think they were above that law….
As for the “first on seven” that is the funniest thing in ages. Playing the victim not a good look….
No Mr McWilliam, your news programs are an attack on the intelligence of Australians – what the AFP did a huge service to the people of Australia
Hey AFP you are a week or 2 late…. why didn’t you do this prior to the Gittany Girlfriend case and save us watching her embarrass herself on national television 🙂
Haha I love it how Seven so proudly tells everyone that they were the First to bring us this new… well.. Duh!
Yes exclusives in their own offices now….. the way this is going in Bali and here we could be in for a sequel telemovie.
Oh dear. As mentioned before this is a monumental News management stuff up. Their credibility has been hit for six – certainly out of the ground actually. For Nein this might just be the gift that keeps on giving…..
Well that was an easy exclusive for 7