Rogerson used false name, bank man says
SYDNEY: Former Sydney detective Mr Roger Rogerson had useda false name for an account he opened at a Penrith bank in July 1985, Glebe Local Court heard yesterday.
A former Westpac Bank branch manager, Mr Albert Blatch, told the court that Mr Rogerson had opened an account at his bank using the name Robert Tracey with a $58,000 bank cheque on July 9 that year.
Mr Blatch was giving evidence at committal proceedings against Mr Rogerson
and two others charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
He said that Mr Rogerson had come into the bank with Detective Sergeant
Bill Tunstall — whom Mr Blatch knew — and two others to discuss opening the account.
Mr Blatch said the cheque represented the balance of an account from another bank. Mr Rogerson had said he was not happy with the service.
Mr Rogerson had been introduced to him as Mr Rogerson, but had indicated
he would like to keep his account in the name of Robert Tracey.
Mr Blatch said he understood the account was opened to hold funds "coming from Mr Rogerson refurbishing motor vehicles that had been
sold".
Mr Blatch said that Mr Rogerson had telephoned three days after the account had been opened and inquired about withdrawing $40,000.
Mr Blatch said the funds subsequently had been transferred to the Taxation Department.
Earlier yesterday, "Miss Jones", the protected witness giving evidence about a drug deal she allegedly made with Mr Rogerson in May 1985, broke down and wept after she was questioned about fears for her safety.
Under cross-examination by counsel for Mr Rogerson, Miss Jones said she feared for her safety after the death of Mr Dennis Allen, who died in April last year. She told the court she feared one person and she wrote that name on a piece of paper.
Mr Rogerson, Sydney businessman Mr Maurice Nowytarger and Mr Nick Paltos have been charged with conspiring with Mr Ross Karp between May 1985 and March 1986 to pervert the course of justice.
The hearing resumes on Monday.
Link http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/102031470searchTerm=%22sergeant%20tunstall%22&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc
