Corp, Smith case discontinued

Perth men Stuart Corp and Brian Smith appear to be in the clear after the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions filed a "notice of discontinuance" in the District Court of Perth.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said the decision followed earlier orders by the Western Australian Court of Appeal that Messrs Smith and Corp be retried in relation to certain criminal charges brought under the Corporations Act.

It followed an investigation into the conduct of both men while directors of two public-listed companies, formerly known as Hallmark Gold NL and Welcome Stranger Mining Company NL. The conduct in question occurred between 1994 and 1998.