Editing Frank Nugan (section)

==Death and Collapse of Nugan Hand Bank==
On January 27, 1980, Nugan was found dead in his Mercedes-Benz near Lithgow, New South Wales, with a .30-caliber rifle and a suicide note naming Michael Hand and other bank associates. The official coroner’s report ruled it suicide, but conspiracy theories persist, citing Nugan’s knowledge of sensitive CIA operations and the bank’s illicit activities.

	•	Bank Collapse: Nugan’s death triggered the bank’s collapse, revealing $50,000 in missing depositor funds and fraudulent accounting. Michael Hand fled Australia with help from a former Green Beret, becoming a fugitive.

	•	Investigations:
	◦	The Commonwealth-New South Wales Joint Task Force on Drug Trafficking (1980–1983) confirmed drug trafficking and arms deals, with testimony from employees like Neil Evans.

	◦	The Stewart Royal Commission (1983) labeled Nugan Hand a “massive fraud,” finding evidence of money laundering and CIA connections.

	◦	A 1984 Australian report suggested links to the 1975 dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, whom the CIA viewed as a threat due to his scrutiny of U.S. intelligence bases like [[Pine Gap]].