Notorious Wolverhampton Johnson brothers: We're hiding nothing
Notorious Wolverhampton brothers Carl and Anthony Johnson have been ordered to pay back less than £340,000 despite pocketing more than £2.4 million in a huge tax scam.
The figure was reached by reviewing the pair's remaining wealth, as Carl today insisted: "There are no hidden assets."
The pair enjoyed lavish lifestyles, drove flash cars and spent their money on properties after pocketing cash in a £34m tax fraud.
The brothers were jailed for two years and nine months in July 2012 for their part in the tax fraud, which involved swindling cash owed to the taxman in a payroll racket.
At a proceeds of crime hearing yesterday, Birmingham Crown Court was told 51-year-old Carl had benefited to the tune of £1,536,067.60 from his crime. He was told to repay £118,925.83. His 52-year-old brother Tony, who benefited from £918,359.51, was ordered to repay £220,216.58.
Carl's assets are tied up in two properties worth around £83,900, sporting memorabilia expected to fetch more than £4,100, a diamond ring worth around £9,000 and 'tainted gifts' to the value of around £18,000.
His brother's assets, which will be used for payment, include equity in two properties worth around £26,000 and around £185,000 from the sale of two properties with the rest in his bank accounts. After the case Carl Johnson contacted the Express & Star to insist there were no hidden assets.
The brothers, along with the tax con kingpin Thomas Scragg, flaunted their wealth on the streets of Wolverhampton, driving around in expensive cars including a Lamborghini Murcielago, Bentley Continental, Porsche Cayenne and Ferrari Spider.
The brothers kitted out their homes with top security equipment while Carl had bulletproof glass installed in his Bushbury Road home. Tony rebuilt his house on Sandy Lane, Tettenhall, with a cinema.
The Johnsons were hired by Scragg's firm Moya Payroll, which carried out payroll services for construction companies. Moya paid workers, but kept payments that should have gone to the taxman. The pair were found guilty of money laundering following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court in 2012.
In total, 13 people were found guilty for their part in the huge con. Scragg, 56, of Rotherhams Oak Lane, Hockley Heath, is serving 17 years for masterminding the scam and another fraud.
