SMSF deception charges follows ASIC investigation

SMSF deception charges follows ASIC investigation
Jonathan ChancellorDecember 7, 2020

Following an ASIC investigation, Sarah Jane Busteed has appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney charged with three counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and one count of dealing with over $100,000 that was the proceeds of crime. 

The New South Wales woman has appeared in court on four charges, in relation to self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) property purchases. 

The ASIC investigation into Busteed's conduct in dealing with members of SMSFs which were undertaking property purchases, prompted ASIC to allege that Busteed dishonestly obtained monies from those SMSFs.

Busteed is also alleged to have dealt with monies obtained from a SMSF which are believed to be proceeds of crime. 

Busteed was not required to enter a plea and was granted conditional bail. The matter is listed for return at the Downing Centre Local Court on 12 April 2016. 

Under the New South Wales Crime Act, the charges of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, while under the Commonwealth Criminal Code the charge of dealing in the proceeds of crime carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment or a $216,000 fine or both.

The investigation into Busteed’s conduct was carried out by ASIC’s SMSF Taskforce, which was established in 2012 in response to the growing popularity of SMSFs.

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the charges against Busteed stemming from the ASIC investigation, while separate charges including dishonestly obtaining financial advantage have been bought against Busteed by the NSW Police and NSW Director of Public Prosecutions.

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

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