Business and economics |

Crikey! The Australia Zoo, which was founded in the 1970s by Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s parents, has acknowledged that it was the victim “a highly sophisticated case of deception.” The zoo is currently being investigation as part of a massive tax-evasion scandal.

The zoo has been charged with $2.3 million in outstanding debts allegedly owed to overseas banks and companies in an effort to avoid tax. Irwin’s widow, Terri Irwin, has been named separately in suits alleging similar debts totaling $55,000. The investments in questions were made through a Singapore based company during Steve Irwin’s lifetime. However, neither the Crocodile Hunter nor his estate were named in court documents as a party to the investigation as his signature was not on any of the papers. It is thought that Steve Irwin left the financial details of the zoo up to his wife.

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