Billionaire Andrew Forrest Resists Meta’s Subpoena in Crypto Scam Lawsuit
In his ongoing legal battle against Meta (formerly Facebook), billionaire Andrew Forrest has refused to comply with the company’s subpoena, which demands access to his legal team’s confidential emails and funding details related to his crypto scam lawsuit. Forrest accuses Meta of allowing scam ads featuring his image, which violates Australian anti-money laundering laws. After failing to reach out to Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, Forrest took the matter to court in 2022. The dispute saw Meta pleading not guilty to three counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Meta Seeks Documents from Forrest’s Camp
Meta intensified the courtroom drama by demanding at least six files from Forrest’s camp, including litigation funding details, third-party ad reports, and uncensored emails among his legal personnel. However, Forrest’s lawyer staunchly defended the privacy of these documents, calling Meta’s demands oppressive and irrelevant to the case. Meta’s counsel expressed skepticism over the state’s compliance with disclosure mandates and the need for these documents to clarify the case.
ACCC Accuses Meta of Misleading Conduct
Meta is also facing accusations from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regarding misleading conduct through scam ads featuring notable Australians. While this case continues, the documents provided by Forrest are expected to strengthen his criminal suit. The hearing has been adjourned, with a ruling anticipated on November 20. The legal battle is set to escalate further in the District Court.
Hot Take: Battle Between Andrew Forrest and Meta Heats Up in Crypto Scam Lawsuit
The courtroom confrontation between billionaire Andrew Forrest and Meta (formerly Facebook) over a crypto scam lawsuit is intensifying. Forrest accuses Meta of unlawfully allowing scam ads featuring his image, while Meta seeks access to his legal team’s confidential emails and funding details. The battle over document disclosure has reached a heated point, with both sides defending their positions. Additionally, Meta faces accusations of misleading conduct from the ACCC. The outcome of this legal tussle will have significant implications for the intersection of social media and cryptocurrency fraudulence.