WiseTech Global's executive chairman says he is unaware of any investigation and rejects claims he exploited a woman's immigration status for sex
Richard White, executive chairman of WiseTech Global, has "emphatically and unequivocally" denied any involvement in human trafficking after reports emerged that the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has launched a human exploitation probe into him over allegations he coerced a woman into a sexual relationship by exploiting her immigration status and financial insecurity.
In a statement issued today (23 June), White told WiseTech's board he was not aware of any such investigation and rejected the allegations outright. WiseTech Global also moved to distance the company from the matter, confirming the reports relate to White in a personal capacity.
"The Company is not aware of any investigation as outlined in the article. The Executive Chair [White] has provided assurance to the Board that he is not aware of any such investigation and also confirmed that he emphatically and unequivocally denies any involvement in or with human trafficking," the company said in its statement.
Following the allegations, WiseTech Global shares fell 1.8 per cent on the Australian Securities Exchange on 23 June 2026, according to ABC News.
What the AFP investigation involves
The Australian Federal Police's (AFP's) human exploitation taskforce launched the probe this year following a formal complaint by Kathy Phelan, the former chief executive of Kyckr, a company controlled by White that helps businesses meet anti-money laundering regulations. Kyckr was acquired by White's private business, RealWise, in 2022.
The investigation centres on allegations involving Caroline Heidemann, a Brazilian woman who was formerly employed by WiseTech as a cleaner. White allegedly used his power and influence to coerce Heidemann into a sexual relationship. Heidemann made similar claims against White in 2025 but reached a settlement with the billionaire.
The AFP declined to comment, though multiple people briefed on the matter confirmed to the Australian Financial Review that Phelan's complaint had led to a formal investigation.
The visa application at the centre of the complaint
In her report to the AFP, Phelan alleged White fabricated a reason to hire Heidemann after she left WiseTech, and provided false information to the government to secure her a visa.
"The role described in the document did not exist within Kyckr. No arrangement of any kind involving Ms Heidemann had ever been discussed at Kyckr, proposed to me, or approved by the board," Phelan wrote in her report, as quoted by the Australian Financial Review.
Phelan further alleged White called her in December 2023 to request a Kyckr letterhead, saying he needed it for a taxation purpose but providing no further detail. She said she was not informed the letterhead would be used for a visa application or connected to Heidemann in any way.
"This was the totality of the transaction from my perspective: a request by phone, a stated reason, and an email with a download link," Phelan said.
Phelan was dismissed as Kyckr's chief executive in June 2025 and is separately suing White over her departure.
White's return to WiseTech
White co-founded WiseTech Global in 1994 and serves as its executive chairman and chief innovation officer. He briefly stepped down from executive responsibilities in 2025, before returning to the role in February 2026.
The latest allegations add to a series of personal controversies that have shadowed White's leadership of the logistics software company. For HR leaders and boards navigating executive conduct and governance obligations under Australian employment law, the case raises pressing questions about how organisations respond when allegations of personal misconduct intersect with workplace power dynamics and visa sponsorship arrangements.
