The director of a disability support services company has been formally charged by Australia's corporate regulator for allegedly misappropriating more than $800,000 for personal gambling activities.
Alleged Financial Misconduct
Byson James Kete Turner, also known as Attrill-Green, served as the director of Links Support and Consulting Services Pty Ltd, an unregistered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider based in Western Australia. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) charged him on Tuesday with eight counts of dishonestly using his position to gain advantage and two counts of failing to appear for compulsory examinations.
Details of the Alleged Transfers
According to the allegations, Mr Turner transferred a total of $858,948 across 2,782 separate transactions between September 4, 2019, and July 18, 2022. These funds were reportedly directed to personal accounts associated with various gambling and lottery platforms, including Sportsbet, Apple, TABTouch, NetLotto, LottoGo, Lotterywest, Oz Lotto, and Plus500AU. All the accounts under investigation were registered in Mr Turner's name.
Legal Proceedings and Consequences
Mr Turner appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday and is scheduled to return for a mention on April 17. If convicted, he faces severe penalties: a maximum of 15 years imprisonment for the alleged fraudulent transfers and up to two years for failing to attend the ASIC examinations on May 10, 2024, and May 30, 2024, as required by the ASIC Act.
Company Liquidation and Broader Impact
Links Support and Consulting Services was placed under the control of a liquidator on February 14, 2023, highlighting the financial instability caused by the alleged misconduct. This case underscores significant concerns about governance and financial oversight within unregistered NDIS providers, potentially affecting vulnerable individuals relying on disability support services.
The National gambling helpline, 1800 858 858, remains available for those seeking assistance with gambling-related issues, emphasizing the broader societal implications of such financial misconduct.
