Australian waiving extradition in fake bomb plot

ARRESTED. Paul "Doug" Peters, 50, is seen in a booking photo taken by authorities at the Oldham County Jail in LaGrange, Ky. and made available by WLKY-TV in Louisville, Ky, Tuesday Aug. 16, 2011. Peters was arrested by the FBI Monday, Aug. 15, 2011 at the home of his ex-wife in a Louisville suburb. He is accused of chaining a fake bomb to an 18-year-old Australian woman in a suspected extortion plot. AP/Oldham County Jail via WLKY-TV

Louisville, Kentucky—An Australian fugitive wanted on charges of placing a fake bomb around a woman’s neck is waiving extradition and is expected to return to his home country to face charges.

Paul Douglas Peters was arrested in August in Kentucky. U.S. Attorney’s office spokeswoman Stephanie Collins said on Tuesday that Peters waived formal extradition and will return to Australia as soon as authorities pick him up.

Peters is a 50-year-old Australian investment banker who travels frequently between the U.S. and Australia. He was arrested by the FBI at his ex-wife’s house in a well-heeled suburb near Louisville, Kentucky.

Authorities say Peters is the masked intruder who fastened a fake bomb around a millionaire’s teenage daughter in their home in wealthy Sydney suburb. The intruder was armed with an aluminum baseball bat.

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