A Melbourne agent has been ordered to pay nearly $165,000 after making numerous transfers from her company’s trust account, taking funds for personal use.
A real estate agent from Melbourne’s west has been convicted and sentenced after taking nearly $165,000 in rental deposits for her own use.
On Tuesday, Daniela Vella, of Essendon West, pleaded guilty to one charge of fraudulently converting trust account money and another charge of causing a deficiency in trust account.
Fronting the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Vella was sentenced to an eight-month community corrections order and ordered to pay compensation of $164,340, according to the Herald Sun.
Vella was also ordered to perform 300 hours of community work and to participate in mental health programs.
Vella was originally charged by Consumer Affairs Victoria in 2024, following the misuse of client trust accounts in August 2020, during her time as principal of Harrison Parker Real Estate.
Court documents stated that on six occasions, Vella withdrew $228,129 from her company’s trust account and deposited it into the business account, and fraudulently converted $164,340 of trust funds for personal use through 56 transfers.
Vella initially faced 67 charges of wrongfully converting trust account funds and six of causing a deficiency in that account, but the number was reduced to two charges before she pleaded guilty.
While there were originally charges against Harrison Parker Real Estate, they were withdrawn after the business was deregistered.
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