More charges under Queensland harness racing probe

A Brisbane man accused of winning bets from a harness race he knew was fixed has been charged under an investigation that has lead to Queensland's top three drivers facing serious offences.
The 65-year-old allegedly knew of a match-fixing arrangement when he put bets on a race at Albion Park in July and has become the tenth person charged under a crackdown on the industry.

Queensland police were unable to say what his connection to harness racing was.He has been granted bail and is due to front Brisbane Magistrates Court in January.
It comes after Australia's top driver, Shane Robert Graham, was on Saturday charged with match-fixing offences likened by Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett to organised crime.

Mr Graham has been charged with two counts of disclosing the knowledge to another about a relevant bet, two counts of facilitating match-fixing conduct for a pecuniary benefit and one count of encouraging another person to make a relevant bet.

At the time, Mr Barnett said a fourth person, who placed bets after allegedly receiving inside information, would soon be located and charged.

The allegations centre around two races at Albion Park in July and October.
Following charges, Graham's licence was suspended, along with that of another of Queensland's other top harness racing drivers, Leonard Cain, who was also caught in the long-running sting.

A trainer is also facing accusations of match-fixing.

Mr Barnett said there were allegations Mr Graham and Mr Cain were passing information to friends who were placing bets and "reaping significant benefits."
While announcing charges against Mr Graham on Saturday, Mr Barnett said the alleged activity isn't rare.

AAP

Article courtesy of Fairfax Digital and The Brisbane Times