The exiled leader of a former Soviet
republic and a well-connected New Zealand lawyer, who divides his time between
Auckland and a chic home in one of South America's most fashionable towns.
What could
they have in common?
They are
linked through a five-bedroomed terraced house - in London's Belgravia, one of
the wealthiest districts in the world and just a stone's throw from Buckingham
Palace.
The
connection is made through a complex web of offshore companies and trusts,
established to obscure the beneficial ownership of the property. Read more:
"The
quintessential offshore lawyer"
Cone Marshall
were among several firms who lobbied the Government in 2014 over fears the
trust industry would be shut down by Inland Revenue. It followed a troubling
report in which IRD warned the Government that the industry was criticised
around the world "along the lines that we are a tax haven".
Eight weeks
ago the leaked computer archives of Mossack Fonseca shone the spotlight on how
prominent politicians, business leaders and celebrities were using the firm to
run offshore entities to keep their finances secret.
 |
| Geoffrey Cone: "the quintessential offshore lawyer" |
The Panama
Papers revealed Mossack Fonseca and Cone Marshall had an active business
relationship, dating back to 2009. Legal news website Law Fuel has described
Geoffrey Cone as "the quintessential offshore lawyer".
His Uruguayan
home featured recently in a lifestyle magazine with a picture of Cone reclining
on the lawn, shirt unbuttoned.
At Casa
Marron, Cone and his wife lead a "laid back lifestyle" with pink
flamingos on the lawn and "wild and legendary parties".
In the glossy
spread, Cone's New York-based wife is quoted as saying: "We have developed
rather eccentric habits. Whenever I've completely trashed a ball gown, I
'retire it to Uruguay', so I wear old ball dresses around."
Cone declined
an interview, citing client confidentiality.
But it would seem the PM is relaxed about this behaviour...what is your view? That's the real question.
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