Billabong surfwear founder Matthew Perrin given green light to quiz ex-wife Nicole Bricknell in fraud case Matthew Perrin, founder of Billabong. BILLABONG surfwear founder Matthew Perrin has been given the green light to quiz his ex-wife at his committal hearing to defend a multi-million dollar fraud charge. Brisbane Magistrate Elizabeth Hall on Thursday granted Perrin permission to cross-examine his former wife, Nicole Bricknell, and her former bookmaker father, Laurie Bricknell, during a hearing to be held in December. Perrin, 40, was arrested and granted bail last year, accused by police of defrauding the Commonwealth Bank of $13.5 million. It is alleged Perrin forged Ms Bricknell's signature and provided false documents to the bank in 2008 relating to a mortgage over a property at Surfers Paradise. Lawyers for the former Billabong CEO indicated at the time he would plead not guilty to the fraud charge. Ms Hall also granted Perrin permission to question, under oath, a third witness about the movement of money at a time when his business empire was facing dire financial hardship. Perrin, who appeared in court alongside his high-profile criminal specialist lawyer Peter Shields, declined to comment outside court. Mr Shields told court his client would be represented by highly respected barrister Michael Byrne, QC, at the proposed one-day committal hearing. Ms Hall granted Perrin ongoing bail and remanded he appear for the hearing on December 20. The former high-flyer, who made the BRW Rich List with his wife and was valued at $151 million in 2002, filed for bankruptcy in 2009 with debts of $28.2 million.