FED: Larry Williams loses extradition law challenge

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2007
FED: Larry Williams loses extradition law challenge

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - US sharemarket guru Larry Williams has lost his challenge to the
validity of extradition proceedings against him over alleged tax evasion.

Three Federal Court judges today dismissed his attempt to restrain the United States
and NSW magistrates from taking further steps under the Extradition Act.

Justices Catherine Branson, Brian Tamberlin and Jim Allsop refused to make a declaration
that the act did not authorise or permit the conduct of such extradition proceedings.

Williams, the father of Hollywood actress Michelle Williams, is wanted in the US for
allegedly evading $A1.9 million in taxes between 1999 and 2001.

The 64-year-old, whose daughter has a baby with Australian actor Heath Ledger, successfully
applied to the Federal Court earlier this year to have the original extradition application
against him ruled invalid.

But the federal government has since started fresh extradition proceedings, which will
now continue after today's ruling.

AAP mss/wjf/jt/sp

KEYWORD: WILLIAMS (PIC AVAILABLE)

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