Michael Papandrea, Ben Aulich set to ask court to throw out money laundering plot charges

Lawyer Ben Aulich and accountant Michael Papandrea were arrested late last year and jointly accused of plotting with an undercover police officer to clean supposedly dirty cash.

Mr Aulich, 48, is further charged with recruiting Mr Papandrea, 54, to engage in criminal activity.

The charges were laid after an elaborate police operation that spanned roughly eight months and resulted in the covert recording of several conversations.

Both men, who were granted bail on the night of their arrests, have pleaded not guilty.

Neither attended a brief mention in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon, when their lawyers appeared on their behalf.

Mr Aulich's solicitor and business partner, Peter Woodhouse, asked Magistrate Robert Cook to obtain a date in March 2022 for a contested committal hearing.

Such hearings, which have been uncommon in the ACT in recent years, are designed to test the strength of the evidence against defendants and determine whether a trial is necessary.

Mr Cook listed the contested committal for March 25.

He said another preliminary hearing, to deal with jurisdictional issues and a subpoena, would take place on February 7 and 8.

The magistrate indicated he knew Mr Papandrea "socially" and said he was willing to recuse himself, but the 54-year-old's lawyer, Rachel Fisher, said this would not be an issue.

Mr Cook said he had also written a list of several of his colleagues who should not deal with the hearings, though he did not read it aloud.

Mr Woodhouse had earlier told the court Mr Aulich had "a more friendly relationship" with some magistrates than others.

He asked that Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter and magistrates James Lawton, Louise Taylor and Beth Campbell not hear the matters.

Mr Woodhouse also nominated Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker as someone who should not sit in the hearings, saying she had previously issued warrants relevant to the case.

One of Mr Aulich's colleagues, Bridie Harders, was also originally accused of being part of the alleged criminal conspiracy.

The charges against her were dropped earlier this year, however, and it has since been revealed she will leave the Aulich law firm this Friday to become a barrister.

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