Invoices, Deception, and the HMRC Trigger
Woolgar’s house of cards began to crumble when duplicate and inaccurate invoices were flagged during a random audit by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This unexpected scrutiny revealed that Charles Claire had unintentionally underpaid customs and VAT duties, leading to an HMRC investigation.
As a result, the company was forced to pay nearly £200,000 ($269,000) in back duties. According to Lynx Golf, this audit opened the floodgates on Woolgar’s decade-long deceit.
Despite denying responsibility and claiming that importers and shippers like Horizon Cargo International handled the relevant documentation, Judge Morrison ruled that Woolgar intentionally misled the company.
A Legal Feud Tees Off: Counterclaims and Trademarks
Woolgar didn’t retreat quietly. He filed a counterclaim, alleging Lynx Golf owed him for unpaid invoices and violated a verbal royalty agreement related to the Ai line of golf products.
In 2020, he even filed a trademark claim for the “Ai” brand, attempting to assert ownership. But Zinser and Elford have vigorously contested this, arguing that as their agent, Woolgar had no rightful claim to company trademarks.
The High Court partially upheld Woolgar’s counterclaim, recognizing some unpaid royalties and invoices—but the lion’s share of the ruling favors Lynx Golf.
