Lawyer Warns That Schapelle Corby’s Tell-All Could Have Legal Consequences

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: an ordinary Australian gets themselves into trouble (preferably overseas), the media reports, the public imagination goes wild, and the same media outlets scramble to secure a tell-all by allegedly paying their subject an eye-watering sum.

Schapelle Corby‘s recent release from a Bali prison falls within that very familiar pattern. But unlike those who were found not guilty of whatever nightmare charge they faced, legal pros have reaffirmed that Corby herself may not be able to financially benefit from that all-but-inevitable exclusive.

Boarded

A post shared by Schapellecorby (@schapelle.corby) on

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, barrister Christian Juebner said that Corby won’t stand to gain too much by selling her account. As Corby was found guilty of smuggling that marijuana all of those years ago, Juebner said any profits made from her story are liable to fall under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
That doesn’t mean others can’t turn a dollar from her story, though. Juebner posited that her fam could well sell their second-hand accounts of the whole deal, as long as they keep any of the likely financial benefits far away from Schapelle.

Juebner also told 9 News that if “it’s proved that the money flowed back to Schapelle Corby or she received some benefit… then the restraining order could be made.” Take note: that restraining order refers solely to the cash raised, not Corby herself. She’s done her time, anyway.

The reminder of this interesting little pocket of Australian law comes after the proceeds of Corby’s book My Story raised red flags a few years back, with the government eventually securing a cool $128,000.
Corby is now back in Australia following her release. Watch this space for when that fabled sit-down interview comes to pass. 

Source: Sydney Morning Herald / 9 News.
Photo: Jason Childs / Getty.

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