Jury discharged in trial of former Harris Scarfe chief

The jury in the trial of Daniel Francis McLaughlin, in the District Court in Adelaide, has been discharged after being unable to reach a unanimous verdict, in relation to 17 charges arising from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s investigation into the Harris Scarfe group. Mr McLaughlin was the chief operating officer of Harris Scarfe Holdings (Receiver and Managers appointed) and a director of Harris Scarfe Limited (Receivers and Managers appointed) (In Liquidation) (the companies). Mr McLaughlin, of Happy Valley, Adelaide, is charged with seven counts of failing to act honestly in the exercise of his powers and the discharge of his duties as an officer of the companies, and ten counts of being intentionally dishonest as an officer of the companies and failing to exercise his powers and discharge his duties in good faith. Mr McLaughlin was remanded on continuing bail to reappear in the District Court in Adelaide on April 19. The charges are being prosecuted by the Commonwealth director of public prosecutions.