Mr James Stanley Phillips, of Blackburn South in Victoria, was today committed to stand trial in the Victorian County Court following an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Mr Phillips was charged with two counts of dishonestly misusing his position as a director between May and October 2001.
Mr Phillips, who was a partner of the former accounting practice Landy & Company DFK, was also a director of Terra Firma Property Management Pty Ltd and Kings Creek Winery Pty Ltd. Between May and July 2001, $1,020,000 was received from investors in the Fyan Street Unit Trust, which was to be invested in the purchase of an office building in Fyan Street Geelong.
It is alleged that approximately $600,000 of investors funds were paid out of the trust account without the knowledge of investors and paid into other accounts which benefited Kings Creek Winery and The Lake Company Pty Ltd.
In May 2002, ASIC applied to have a trustee appointed to the Fyan Street Property Trust. Mr Clyde White is the liquidator of the companies and trustee of the Fyan Street Property Trust.
Mr Phillips today indicated he would plead guilty to the charges. He was ordered to appear in the Victorian County Court on 27 March 2007.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is conducting the prosecution.
For further information contact:
Allen Turton
Deputy Executive Director, Enforcement
Telephone: 02 9911 2338
Mobile: 0411 549 236
Danielle Huck
ASIC Media Unit
Telephone: 03 9280 3407
Mobile: 0417 540 769
