Schapelle Corby faces legal issue over her stint on SAS Australia
Australians sat in shock after the exit of fan favourite Schapelle Corby from Channel 7’s SAS Australia. Now lawyers are saying she could get a bite back if it turns out she was paid for her short-lived appearance.
Corby rose to infamy when she was convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia in 2005.
She revealed she took on the gruelling reality show’s offer to star as “part of her healing”.
The 43-year-old bowed out of the challenge in Tuesday night’s episode, and it remains uncertain as to whether Corby was paid by Channel 7 for her time on the show – but a lawyer has said she could have her earnings confiscated if she did.
Australia has strict crime laws that prohibit people from making a profit off their notoriety.
“If there was a payment to appear on the show then this could be a breach of the proceeds of crime laws,” Alison Barrett, a principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, told news.com.au.
“The law says that if a person derives a ‘benefit’ from the commercial exploitation of their notoriety which has resulted from them committing a certain type of serious crime, then they are likely to find themselves under scrutiny.
“The crime committed by Schapelle Corby in Bali is arguably of a serious enough nature for the law to apply.”
If charges were to be laid against Corby, her proceeds from the “crime” would be confiscated.
“Often it is the person who has benefited from the crime that needs to prove it is not tainted by crime,” Ms Barrett said.
“If a person is found to have breached the proceeds of crime law then all or part of any benefit received may be recoverable.”
Channel 7 is not confirming whether Corby had been paid to appear on SAS Australia when questioned by news.com.au. However, in August, Nine Newspapers reported the starting salary for contestants was believed to be $150,000.
“We do not disclose the terms of our agreements with any people, from any of our shows,” a Seven spokesperson said.