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Ex-Olympic champ, wife ‘ecstatic’ as fraud case dropped

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Published on

May 20, 2026

Former Olympic Swimming champion Neil Brooks and his wife Linda were ‘delighted’ to hear their long-running fraud charges were about to be formally dropped. Brisbane court.

The pair were accused of making dishonest statements to induce investor Glenn Melcheck and his wife to pay $1.95 million for a 50 percent stake in their company. sport- merchandise company in 2008.

After being introduced by a third party in late 2007, the Brooks and the Melchecks held a series of meetings before signing an agreement in January 2008.

Neil and Linda Brooks outside court last year. (A current case)

Days later, the Melchecks paid a $50,000 down payment, ensuring the now-defunct company would collapse within months.

In Brisbane District Court Today, prosecutors told Judge Anthony Rafter they would not proceed with the case, effectively ending the prosecution.

The Brooks’ attorney, Daniel Hannay, said after nearly a decade they were finally vindicated.

“We had a FaceTime call last night where I told them the good news that they were both abroad,” he said in a statement.

“There were a lot of tears, but not a lot of words. They are both ecstatic that the case is finally over and they can move on with their lives.”

Neil Brooks won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. (A current case)

The Brooks were charged in 2017 and during the proceedings the court heard about alleged relationships with Major European football clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Prosecutors alleged that the couple, as directors of the company, made misleading claims about the company’s success and prospects to boost investment.

Brooks won gold in 1980 Moscow Olympic Games and was part of the famous Australian “Mean Machine” relay team before working as television presenter.

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