iscover
Former Belle Property principal Anthony Di Nardo has been hit with a licence suspension amid allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
Lake Macquarie real estate agent Anthony Di Nardo had his licence suspended for 60 days, effective immediately, barring him from carrying out any real estate work.
The suspension arose as Di Nardo prepared to relaunch under a new brand, “Prestige Real Estate Agent”.
According to NSW Fair Trading, the suspension was imposed after it formed the view that there were reasonable grounds for disciplinary action, questioning whether Di Nardo was fit and proper to manage or operate a licensed real estate business.
Di Nardo was served a formal Show Cause notice, requiring him to respond by 23 March 2026, explaining why disciplinary action should not proceed.
Earlier last year, at the beginning of December, Di Nardo was arrested and charged with six offences over sexually and indecently assaulting five former female staff members from 2006 to 2022.
It is alleged that one of the victims had just left school in year 11 and was 16 years old when she started a real estate traineeship at one of his Belle franchises.
It is believed that the five female employees were touched against their wishes or forced into intercourse as they feared the rejection would see them lose their jobs or their careers plummet.
Additionally, it is alleged that Di Nardo’s behaviour would be exacerbated by alcohol and drugs.
Over a 24-year career, Di Nardo earned a strong reputation and ran the region’s largest premium real estate business, owning five Belle Property franchises.
He launched his first Belle Property office in Lake Macquarie in 2018, after rebranding two McGrath franchises, and eventually expanded to Port Stephens, East Maitland, the Hunter Valley, and Newcastle.
After a Newcastle Herald investigation revealed allegations that Di Nardo sexually harassed and indecently assaulted female staff, Belle Property severed ties with him on 28 November 2025.
The network took it to the masthead to publicly apologise for Di Nardo’s behaviour.
“Our priority is the safety, wellbeing, and support of our staff,” the network said.
“Additional safety measures and hands-on support have been implemented to ensure these workplaces remain safe, transparent and respectful for all employees and clients.”
“Looking ahead, we are committed to doing things differently. We are determined to rebuild with confidence, act transparently and embed a culture where safety, integrity and people always come first.”
NSW Fair Trading said that the allegations against Di Nardo were serious and that it had the authority to decide whether a real estate agent is fit and proper to hold a licence.
“It is a legal requirement that for a person to hold a real estate agent licence, they must be fit and proper to do so. Generally, an assessment of whether a person is fit and proper will consider character, knowledge, ability, and integrity,” a NSW Fair Trading spokesperson told REB.
While NSW Fair Trading’s regulatory action remains separate from criminal charges laid by NSW Police, the watchdog said the investigation is ongoing.
"The case involving Mr Di Nardo is currently before the courts, so we are unable to comment any further,” the spokesperson concluded.
Contacted by REB, Anthony Di Nardo denied the allegations.
“There is a matter before the court, and out of respect for the court proceedings I don’t wish to comment any further other than to say these allegations are strongly denied and will be defended," he told REB.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
You are not authorised to post comments.
Comments will undergo moderation before they get published.