NSW:Rivkin attends med exam but results not due till 2004

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2003
NSW:Rivkin attends med exam but results not due till 2004

By Samantha Baden

SYDNEY, Dec 23 AAP - Convicted insider trader Rene Rivkin today attended an independent
medical examination although he will have to wait until the new year for the results which
could force him back into periodic detention.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered the examination which
was administered by NSW Corrective Services (NCS).

After spending the morning soaking up the sun on his luxury vessel, Dajoshadita, on
Sydney Harbour, the NCS said Rivkin underwent the medical examination at 1pm (AEDT) to
corroborate his exemption from periodic detention.

"Due to the complexity and volume of medical information related to this matter, a
report from the independent medical specialist is not expected until after the Christmas-New
Year period," the NCS said in a statement.

The independent examination was ordered after Rivkin provided a third consecutive medical
certificate, which will exempt him from periodic detention until at least February 13.

The 58-year-old trader was sentenced in May to nine months periodic detention and fined
$30,000 after a NSW Supreme Court jury found him guilty of illegally trading in Qantas
shares.

The flamboyant stockbroker, who was taken to hospital when he collapsed a day after
entering jail, has yet to serve any more of his sentence.

The Commonwealth DPP wrote to the NCS on November 25 requesting it administer an independent
examination to corroborate Rivkin's medical certificate, according to a DPP spokeswoman.

"Correctional Services are now having him assessed by a medical specialist appointed
by them, and when Correctional Services forward material to us about that examination
it will be considered at that time," she said.

Rivkin has also surrendered his stockbroker's licence after 33 years, citing ongoing
health problems.

However, surrendering the licence and the payment of $25,000 to the Australian Stock
Exchange is also part of an agreed settlement that will ensure he does not have to face
an ASX tribunal over his conduct in the Qantas shares affair.

Rivkin has been embroiled in additional controversy since allegations he, former federal
Labor minister Graham Richardson, and recently-resigned Qantas director Trevor Kennedy
were involved in channelling millions of dollars through Swiss bank accounts.

The three are alleged to have been the secret owners of a stake in printing company
Offset Alpine, with the case now under investigation by the Australian Securities and
Investments Commission (ASIC).

AAP smb/mo/de

KEYWORD: RIVKIN NIGHTLEAD

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