Judgment in LeisureNet case today

The two face charges of fraud, money-laundering and contraventions of the Income Tax Act and Companies Act. LeisureNet, which operated the Health and Racquet Club, was liquidated in 2000 with liabilities of R1.22bn and assets of only R302m. Gardener and Mitchell were allegedly party to an elaborate scheme to cheat LeisureNet through the fraudulent purchase of companies. Their co-accused, business associate Johann Moser and Mitchell\'s wife and financial manager, Suzanne, were earlier discharged on money-laundering charges. In August, following the close of the State\'s case, Gardener and Mitchell were acquitted on one charge of fraud involving an alleged R1.9m kickback. However, acting Judge Dirk Uijs ruled they had a case to answer on the alternatives. Full report on the Mail & Guardian Online site