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Police raid Seven West Media’s Sydney offices over Schapelle proceeds of crime

Australian Federal Police have this morning carried out a raid on the offices of Seven Network in Sydney under the proceeds of crime act.

The raids are understood to relate to the Schapelle Corby interview the Seven Network has reportedly lined up following the convicted drug runners’ release from prison last Monday.

It is understood police have also raided the offices of Seven West Media’s Pacific Magazines in Eveleigh and the magazine New Idea has jointly paid for the interview with Schapelle.

Nine News journalist Mark Burrows was with police before the raid and tweeted this picture @markwburrows

Nine News journalist Mark Burrows was with police before the raid and tweeted this picture @markwburrows

Seven Network is understood to have secured the rights for a seven-figure sum, however there has been conjecture over whether the deal breaks Australian laws over the Proceeds of Crime Act, as Balinese authorities have urged Corby not to do the interview for risk of violating her parole.

Channel Seven’s Damien Smith reported the Australian Federal Police have a copy of the agreement for the Corby interview, used as part of the execution of the search warrant. The search could go on until tomorrow morning, he said.

However, Sunday Night’s offices, located elsewhere in Sydney, have not yet been visited, with Seven reporting “heated scenes” as lawyers questioned the validity of the police search warrant.

A statement from police 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 is not appropriate for the AFP to comment any further.”

The raid coincides with Seven West Media’s half-yearly results presentation this morning, meaning most of the senior management team are not currently in the office.

police raid seven

Gus Bruno has been tweeting from the scene of the raid @gusbru07

According to Yahoo!7 employee Gus Bruno who has been tweeting from the scene the police raids happened at 8.55am, and are in relation to the deal believed to have been struck between the Corby family and Seven’s Sunday Night.

gus bruno tweets

 

Although Seven has been tight-lipped about the deal, with figures bandied around between $1m and $3m, veteran reporter Mike Willesee was seen escorting Corby from the prison, and has been staying at a villa next to her since her release.

seven schapelle police

There has been some criticism of any payout to Schapelle, with Seven Sunrise presenter David Koch amongst the most notable to oppose it, making a statement live on air last week.

Yesterday Mumbrella asked media buyers whether brands would buy space on the interview if it goes ahead, with mixed results.

More soon.

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