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The Dandenong man allegedly misused approximately $75,000 in trust account funds.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has claimed that Jean-Noel Alain Philippe Gillet, who traded as Agent 96 Real Estate, made multiple transfers from his agency’s trust account for his personal use over a 10-month period dating from 12 March 2019 to 10 January 2020.
The charges against him number 941, and include both causing a deficiency in a trust account and fraudulently converting money for his own use.
According to the state watchdog, the offences were brought to their attention by Mr Gillet himself, who self-reported the personal use of trust money both in writing and over the phone.
His transfers ranged from $50 to $300. Two consumers owed money by Mr Gillet have received compensation from the Victorian Property Fund (VPF). Mr Gillet has reportedly not repaid the VPF for those reimbursements.
Consumer Affairs Victoria director Nicole Rich used this opportunity to remind consumers and the industry that no abuses of trust account funds would be tolerated.
“Anyone who misuses trust account funds, regardless of the amounts involved, can face penalties including substantial fines, losing their licence to practice, or jail for more serious offences,” Ms Rich said.
Indeed, following an investigation by the watchdog, a former Victorian agent was recently convicted and sentenced to a three-year community corrections order and 300 hours of unpaid community work for withdrawing more than $100,000 from her agency’s trust account.
Mr Gillet’s matter will be brought forward at a committal mention in early May.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juliet Helmke
Based in Sydney, Juliet Helmke has a broad range of reporting and editorial experience across the areas of business, technology, entertainment and the arts. She was formerly Senior Editor at The New York Observer.
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