Charges dropped against Olympian Neil Brooks and wife Linda Brooks in $2m fraud case

The charges against Olympic swimmer Neil Brooks and his wife have been dropped, almost a decade after they were charged.

Brooks, also a former media identity, and wife Linda have been fighting the almost $2 million fraud case against them since they were charged in late 2017.

The prosecution alleged Brooks made dishonest representations about the success of a sports clothes manufacturing business, of which he was director, to induce a couple to buy 50 per cent of the company.

Court documents alleged that in 2008 the couple induced Glenn Melcheck to deliver $1.95 million to Alfords Operations Pty Ltd.

The Brooks allegedly misrepresented the value and success of the business, inducing Melcheck and his wife Carole to buy in.

The pair were committed to stand trial in June 2023. After that hearing, Brooks told reporters outside court the case had taken a “huge toll emotionally” on his family.

The couple had pleaded not guilty, and vowed to fight the charges, saying their story had not changed in 15 years.

In 2022, the couple’s barrister, Chris Wilson, had argued the case should be dropped, claiming there were flaws in what the prosecution had alleged, and therefore a jury would not be able to lawfully convict the pair at a later date.

On Wednesday in the District Court, the prosecution indicated it would not be pursuing the charges, and asked for them to be dismissed.

Judge Anthony Rafter dismissed the fraud charges against the pair.

The Brooks were arrested in late 2017 when they flew separately into Australia, but had lived overseas, including in Bali, in accordance with their bail condition in recent years.

Brooks won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics as part of the 4x100m medley relay team. He was also a former high-profile presenter on the Seven Network.

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