Fraudulent adviser caught out
A former Victorian financial adviser has pleaded guilty to 19 fraud-related charges following an Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) investigation.
Matthew David Leech had worked for an accounting practice in Kyneton, Victoria where from 1998 to 2005 he misappropriated funds, which included superannuation and compensation lump sum payments, from 15 different clients.
He pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and 13 counts of obtaining either a financial advantage or property by deception involving the misappropriation of $1.3 million.
Leech also pleaded guilty to one count of creating false documents and one count of using his position as a director of a company, Nataimosh, to gain a personal financial advantage of $51,450.
Last year, ASIC permanently banned Leech from providing financial services.
Recommended for you
Multiple industry organisations have shared their thoughts on AFCA’s proposed rules amendment, supporting the idea of firms being named publicly when they fail to comply with determinations.
Channel Capital has appointed a head of investment oversight who joins from 14 years at asset consulting firm JANA Investment Advisers.
Licensee Centrepoint Alliance has completed the acquisition of Brighter Super’s annual review service advice book, via Financial Advice Matters.
ASIC has launched court proceedings against the responsible entity of three managed investment schemes with around 600 retail investors.
