A FORMER Dundee Football Club director has appeared in court charged with falsely claiming to be a qualified Italian lawyer.
Giovanni di Stefano, 57, a lawyer who has represented a series of notorious crooks including Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs and serial killer Harold Shipman, appeared at City of London Magistrates' Court accused of four counts of fraud by false representation, four counts of fraud by abuse of position, and two counts of using a false instrument with intent it be accepted as genuine.
Prosecutors allege he made false representations to Subash and Kiran Thakrar namely he was a qualified Italian lawyer.
He is also accused of keeping £476,000 belonging to the Thakrars claiming it would be held on trust and only released to annul the bankruptcy of Subash Thakrar.
Di Stefano is also alleged to have failed to pay fees due to "professional clients" Michael Wolkind, QC, and Richard Ferry-Swainson, while acting as a legal advisor for David Brown.
Prosecutors claim Di Stefano, also while acting as a legal advisor, failed to insure that Tamara Zegarac was reimbursed the sum of £12,000 paid for her benefit by Cerner Ltd.
Di Stefano's lawyers indicated he "vigorously" denies the allegations and will plead not guilty to the 10 charges. Di Stefano, of Canterbury, was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 4.
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