Australia’s financial crimes watchdog AUSTRAC has been slammed by the federal judge presiding over its case against casino giant Crown Resorts for taking too long to prosecute.

In a brutal slap down in which he noted that settlement to end the Napoleonic wars took less time, Justice Michael Lee questioned whether AUSTRAC was serious about punishing Crown for breaches of anti-money laundering laws and ordered solicitors to proceed with their prosecution, according to a report by the Australian Financial Review.

“The Congress of Vienna took nine months to talk about the future of Europe, you’ve had 12 months to talk about admissions,” Justice Lee fired, pointing to the fact that charges against Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth were first filed with the court in March 2022.