Labor MP Jagadish Krishnan’s private trip to New York and $1 million loan that sparked legal battle

Labor MP Jagadish Krishnan is under pressure to explain a business loan that has sparked a $1 million legal battle, but has vowed to “vigorously defend” his reputation in court.

The Member for Riverton, who co-founded Spectrum Health in 2014, has launched a counter-suit over an American businessman’s claim that Dr Krishnan, his wife and companies linked to them have failed to “timely repay” a six-figure loan that was secured during a visit to New York in May 2024.

Court documents filed in New Jersey on October 20 by Kannan Amalraj and Kenyan Consulting LLC accuse Dr Krishnan of a “breach of contract” and of “unjustly enriching” himself.

The West Australian does not suggest any of the allegations made in the New Jersey court documents are true.

In a writ filed in the WA Supreme Court this week, Dr Krishnan claims that emails from Mr Amalraj and his wife Gokila to Premier Roger Cook and Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson “falsely and maliciously defamed” him.

He’s hired high-powered Perth lawyer Martin Bennett.

On Thursday, Dr Krishnan denied any wrongdoing.

“I’m confident I have acted appropriately, and I stand by the position I’ve taken,” he told reporters outside his electorate office in Willetton.

“I understand there’s interest in this matter, but given it’s now before the courts, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go into details or comment on the claims.”

He said his visit to New York while parliamentary secretary to the Premier was a “private trip” and did not include any parliamentary business.

He wouldn’t answer questions about a $750 cruise, pictured with Mr Amalraj, or who paid for his hotel - during a terse four-minute press conference.

“It was a private trip, it is connected with the litigation,” Dr Krishnan said.

Receipts obtained by The West Australian show transactions totalling US$655,000 in June, August and September 2024 from Kenyan Consulting to Codd Technologies, of which Dr Krishnan’s wife Yaamini is the sole shareholder.

MP’s are not required to declare their spouse’s business interests.

A non-convertible debenture agreement, signed by Yaamini Jagadish and Gokila Amalraj, includes several discrepancies - putting the loan amount at AUD 1,000,000 and also two million Australian Dollars.

It included a fixed interest rate of 6 per cent and a loan term of 9 years, and was dated 15 May 2024. There were no witness signatories.

The West does not suggest any of the contracting parties are guilty of any misconduct in relation to the transaction.

Dr Krishnan did not respond to claims in the New Jersey court writ that he originally contacted Mr Amalraj to discuss “fundraising activities for Spectrum Health” - where the Riverton MP is a shareholder, and which is in the middle of being sold.

“Before arriving in the United States, Defendant Krishnan had also shared the Spectrum Health pitch deck with Plaintiff Kenyan by email,” the plaintiff’s court filing claims.

“It was represented by Defendant Krishnan that Codd Technologies Pty Ltd was connected with Spectrum Health as its technology partner.

“To date, no portion of the loaned amount has been paid back.”

Dr Krishnan’s annual returns tabled in State Parliament - in 2024, 2025 and October this year - state “nil” for any gifts received over $500.

“I’ve done everything appropriately in my declarations. My personal declarations have been done appropriately. I’m confident I’ve done the appropriate thing,” he said.

Dr Krishnan was ushered away from journalists by staff on Thursday, as he faced questions about whether any gifts were disclosed and calls for him to stand down while the dispute is before the courts.

“Why should I?” he asked.

The Premier described the question as a hypothetical, when asked if he would remove from caucus any Labor MP who has not met disclosure standards.

“That’s a decision for the caucus, and I’ll make sure that all my MPs, in fact, I think it’s covered on all MPs to make sure that they uphold the very highest standards,” Mr Cook told reporters in Canberra.

He said he first became aware of Dr Krishnan’s legal woes “in the last week”.