High Rolling Gambler Used Fake Passports to Travel

As reported by the Herald Sun: "A rogue solicitor who stole from clients to feed his gambling addiction turned over $13 million at casinos in four years, the Supreme Court was told yesterday.

"High-roller Gabriel Werden used passports with false names and his own face to return to Australia undetected several times during 3 1/2 years on the run. Werden's barrister, Mark Regan, said his client fled Australia in 2000 with huge debts to casino loan sharks and in fear of his life.

"He taught English in Lebanon while a fugitive, got involved in property development there and spent time in London and New Zealand.

"...Mr Regan said Werden's 'astronomical losses' had cost him his legal practice, his home, his marriage and his credibility. He had suffered an extreme degree of shame and remorse.

"...Prosecutor Michele Williams put a different view to the pre-sentence hearing before Justice Bernard Teague.

"She said Werden had absconded on bail in Queensland and escaped from police custody in Western Australia and New South Wales.

"Werden, 40, pleaded guilty yesterday to seven counts of theft, three of obtaining financial advantage by deception and one of having a deficiency in his trust account.

"Most of the stolen money was used to buy gambling chips at casinos in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

"Justice Teague was told that between May 1997 and March 1998 Werden had a total deficiency of $1,104,729 in his trust account..."

2006-07-05