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WiseTech Chairman Richard White Resigns Amid Police Investigations

Published July 7, 2026 at 2:48 AM UTC

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Richard White, the executive chairman and co-founder of Australian logistics software company WiseTech Global, has resigned from his position amid ongoing police investigations into allegations of human exploitation and visa fraud. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) initiated the investigation following a formal complaint by Kathy Phelan, the former CEO of Kyckr, a company controlled by White. The complaint alleges that White exploited a woman's immigration status for sexual purposes and provided false information on a visa application. White has emphatically denied these allegations, stating that he is unaware of any such investigation and rejecting any involvement in human trafficking. WiseTech Global has also distanced itself from the matter, confirming that the reports relate to White in a personal capacity and not the company. The resignation of White has had a significant impact on WiseTech's stock performance, with shares falling over 18% to A$30.08, the lowest closing level since early June 2021. This decline reflects broader concerns about corporate governance and leadership stability at one of Australia's most valuable tech companies. The company has stated that it is not aware of any investigation involving White and emphasized that there is no suggestion of any probe into the company itself. The AFP has declined to comment on the matter, and as of now, no charges have been publicly announced. The situation continues to unfold, and further developments are expected as investigations proceed.