One of Canberra's most senior criminal lawyers has indicated he will fight charges over alleged money laundering.
Ben Aulich, 47, was arrested last week along with lawyer Bridie Harders, 35, and accountant Michael Papandrea, 54, after an eight-month police investigation.
At the time, police described the trio as facilitators of money laundering, and alleged they had discussed how to use contracts and agreements to set up a business to launder the proceeds of crime.
Mr Aulich and Mr Papandrea were charged with dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $100,000, money laundering and recruiting people to engage in criminal activity.
The ACT Magistrates Court heard today that Mr Aulich is accused of recruiting Mr Papandrea, and Mr Papandrea is accused of recruiting a fourth person.
Mrs Harders was only charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime and money laundering.
However, the charges could not be formally read in court today because the prosecution needed to adjust their wording.
All three alleged offenders have indicated they plan to fight the charges.
The prosecution also told the court it had retained high-profile barrister Mark Tedeschi QC to run the case.
Mr Aulich and Mrs Harders are partners at the law firm Aulich.
Last week, police raided the firm's city office, Mr Papandrea's Kingston office, a grocery store in Queanbeyan and another business in the southern suburb of Farrer.
The law firm later issued a statement saying it supported its two partners and it was going about business "as usual".
Mr Aulich and Mrs Harders will be back in court for a bail variation and formal charges on Christmas Eve.
The court heard Mr Papandrea had to resign from several boards and step away from his businesses.
He will return to court in March next year.
