An Australian investigator lied and tampered with evidence in a fraud case against researcher Julie Clarke, leading a judge to halt the prosecution.

An Australian Taxation Office investigator, Anthony Rains, has been found to have lied and tampered with evidence in a years-long case against Queensland researcher Julie Clarke, who was accused of fraud over research funding. Judge Paul Smith ruled the ATO's conduct was oppressive, with Rains altering documents, withholding key evidence, and misleading authorities. The judge stayed the prosecution, citing abuse of process, lack of fair trial rights, and serious breaches of duty, emphasizing the need to protect the justice system's integrity.