VIC: Man posed as Kennett adviser, pledged funds: court told

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-1999
VIC: Man posed as Kennett adviser, pledged funds: court told

A Melbourne court has been told a young trainee with a state government department posed as
Premier JEFF KENNETT's ministerial adviser and promised millions of dollars in false grants.

Twenty-one-year-old ISAAC FRENKEL, of St Kilda, made false business cards and letterhead
and held meetings with companies and groups promising them millions of dollars in grants.

Melbourne Magistrates Court was told FRENKEL tracked Mr KENNETT's overseas trips and
employed a security company to provide protection for the premier in the United States.

The company believed him and employed 14 new people and trained them over a four-day camp
and put together proposals at a cost of $14,000.

Two days before the premier departed for the US, FRENKEL cancelled the arrangement, telling
the company Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD had taken care of the security arrangements.

FRENKEL's lawyer, ROBERT SEIFMAN, told the court his client got carried away with his own
self-importance, but he was a person of good character.

FRENKEL pleaded guilty to numerous charges including theft, obtaining property by deception
and using a false document to prejudice others.

Magistrate NOEL PURCELL placed him on a 12-month good behaviour bond without conviction.

AAP RTV cmc/er/msk/jn

KEYWORD: FRENKEL (MELBOURNE)

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