Former north Qld tour operator charged

A former north Queensland tour operator has been charged with making false or misleading statements to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Leigh Alan Jorgensen will front the Cairns Magistrates Court on March 21 over allegations he falsely and misleadingly claimed Trek North Tours "had no outstanding liabilities" when he lodged a form to deregister the business in February 2016.

ASIC released a statement on Monday confirming the charge followed an investigation into Jorgensen's conduct as the sole director of the business.

It claimed the Fair Work Ombudsman had previously launched legal proceedings against Trek North Tours and Jorgensen over unpaid employee entitlements.

The company was ordered to pay a fine of $55,000.

ASIC claimed the order was issued before Jorgensen lodged the form to deregister.