Breaking: Forrest Denies Facebook’s Demand for Crypto Scam Court Files

Billionaire Andrew Forrest takes on Meta in a heated courtroom battle over crypto scam allegations and privacy rights.
Meta Facebook

In a recent courtroom face-off, billionaire Andrew Forrest has pushed back against Meta’s subpoena demanding access to his legal team’s confidential emails and funding details concerning his crypto scam lawsuit against the company. This heated confrontation follows Forrest’s accusation against Meta, previously known as Facebook, for unlawfully allowing scam ads featuring his image, thereby contravening Australian anti-money laundering legislation.

Forrest took his grievances to court in 2022 after an unsuccessful attempt to reach out to Meta’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg. The dispute, simmering since early 2019, saw Meta pleading not guilty to three counts of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime exceeding $1000 in value.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Legal Tussle Sees Meta on a Document Hunt

On July 10, 2023, Meta propelled the courtroom drama into a charged document exchange, relentlessly seeking at least six files from Forrest’s camp. These files span various areas, including litigation funding details, third-party ad reports, and uncensored emails among Forrest’s legal personnel. However, this aggressive move met stiff resistance on Monday, with Forrest’s lawyer, Rachael Young, staunchly defending the privacy of these documents, labeling Meta’s demands as oppressive and abusive.

Young emphasized that Forrest has already supplied 18 folders of substantial evidence, underscoring the exhaustive two-year disclosure process. She further stressed that the documents Meta pursues are irrelevant to the ongoing case.

Contrarily, Meta’s counsel, Paul Yovich, expressed skepticism over the state’s full compliance with disclosure mandates. He elucidated their persistent effort to pinpoint the required documents, explaining the necessity of each in clarifying murky courtroom waters.

Additionally, Meta seeks liberation from a court directive restricting the utilization of documents obtained from a distinct lawsuit Forrest is concurrently navigating in California. This segment of the legal tangle further intensifies the tension between the two as they spar over the documentation disclosure.

Advertisement
Advertisement

ACCC Steps into the Fray

Moreover, Meta finds itself in hot water with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), facing accusations of misleading conduct via scam ads starring notable Australians. Although that case continues, the documents provided likely bolster Forrest’s criminal suit.

The courtroom drama pauses momentarily as Magistrate Melita Medcalf adjourns the hearing, with a ruling anticipated on November 20. Meanwhile, the battle escalates to the District Court, promising more high-stake confrontations in this unique intersection of social media and cryptocurrency fraudulence.

Advertisement
Kelvin Munene Murithi
Kelvin Munene is a crypto and finance journalist with over 5 years of experience, offering in-depth market analysis and expert commentary . With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Actuarial Science from Mount Kenya University, Kelvin is known for his meticulous research and strong writing skills, particularly in cryptocurrency, blockchain, and financial markets. His work has been featured across top industry publications such as Coingape, Cryptobasic, MetaNews, Cryptotimes, Coinedition, TheCoinrepublic, Cryptotale, and Analytics Insight among others, where he consistently provides timely updates and insightful content. Kelvin’s focus lies in uncovering emerging trends in the crypto space, delivering factual and data-driven analyses that help readers make informed decisions. His expertise extends across market cycles, technological innovations, and regulatory shifts that shape the crypto landscape. Beyond his professional achievements, Kelvin has a passion for chess, traveling, and exploring new adventures.
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.