Australian Police move to seize the $1.5m mansion of Gen. James Hoth Mai
The Australian Federal Police took the case against General James Hoth Mai Nguoth, and several members of his family, to the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday as it pushes ahead with a proceeds of crime restraint.
It is targeting the luxury Narre Warren home, which has an infinity pool, sauna and five-car garage, as well as an Audi owned by the family.
Gen Hoth Mai served as the chief of staff in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army from May 2009 to April 2014. Before that he was the deputy chief of staff for logistics. Investigators understand his biggest salary was no more than $58,000.
“Gen Hoth Mai is a well-known military commander in South Sudan,” Mr Mailey said.
“First, the cost of the home far surpassed what one could reasonable afford on the salary of a general of Hoth Mai’s rank,” Mr Mailey said.
“Second, the Hoth Mai family had purchased the home shortly after having resided in subsidised housing, a major sudden change in the family’s lifestyle.
Clooney, writing in The Sentry’s 2016 report, said the organisation’s investigators spent two years “following the money underwriting South Sudan’s war economy”.
Barrister Simon McGregor, for the General’s family, declined to comment.
The AFP’s legal proceedings are a civil matter under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The alleged offences are breach of directors’ duties, causing a loss to the Commonwealth and obtaining a gain from the Commonwealth. Criminal charges have not been laid against the General or his family.
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