Aus KISS Promoter Arrested In Relation To FBI Investigation

Melbourne music promoter Andrew McManus has been arrested overnight at Melbourne airport in relation to a multi-nation investigation by the FBI, the NSW Organised Crime Squad and Australian Crime Commission.  

As Fairfax reports, McManus, who is currently the tour promoter for the upcoming KISS Aus tour, was one of five people arrested nationally and in the States on Thursday after the discovery of a suitcase filled with $700,000 in cash at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney.

Craig Haeusler, Kings Cross lawyer Michael Croke, and pastry shop owner Zeki Atilgan were arrested in Sydney last night, while US businessman Owen Hanson Junior was arrested in San Diego.

McManus has been charged with perverting the course of justice, attempting to defraud by false or misleading statements and knowingly participating in a criminal group to assist crime.  

The international investigation which has been conducted by the NSW Police Force and the FBI dates back to 2011 when Hanson ran a Advanced Peptide Solutions business with former cage fighter Sean Carolan, who was found at the same hotel with a suitcase containing $702,000.

After being sent to court, McManus extraordinarily claimed ownership of the money.

“I gave someone 700 large, and you've found someone with 700 large. It's my 700 large,"  McManus told police in a record of interview with detectives in April 2012 and claimed the money in the suitcase were the proceeds from a Lenny Kravitz tour.

On Thursday, Atilgan’s Kellyville home was raided where cash, steroids and cannabis were also found.

A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed that McManus was released on bail and will appear in count on 14 October, though the future of his upcoming tours, including KISS, is yet to be addressed.

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this article, it was stated that McManus had been arrested for cocaine and money laundering charges. This was incorrect. It has never been alleged by the police that McManus has ever been involved in any drug importation or money laundering offences.