A sentence for conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth through a money laundering operation facilitating at least $20 million in tax evasion over seven years must reflect the extreme seriousness of the conduct and the importance of general deterrence; an effective sentence of five years with a two-and-a-half-year non-parole period was manifestly inadequate and was increased to seven years with a four-and-a-half-year non-parole period. Cultural and religious hardship in prison may be taken into account in mitigation but cannot provide immunity from a proper sentence. On re-sentencing following a successful Crown appeal, the Court will take into account subsequent changes in law or facts but this seldom necessitates more than a very limited fresh plea.
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