WA adviser charged with stealing
Western Australian financial adviser, Annemieke de Boer, will face Perth Magistrates Court tomorrow on charges of stealing close to $50,000 of a client’s money.
De Boer, a former adviser with Westpoint embroiled group Centro Financial Synergy Group Pty Ltd in Perth has been charged by the Western Australian (WA) Police Major Fraud Squad with stealing.
The charge follows a joint investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the WA Police.
ASIC and the WA Police allege that between November 1, 2005, and November 5, 2005, the Shenton Park resident stole $48,000 from one of her clients after being asked by her client to apply the funds to a particular investment. ASIC and the WA police also allege that she committed the offence while working as a financial adviser.
De Boer was bailed and ordered to surrender her passport to police. She will appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on April 13, 2007. The State Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the matter.
Earlier this year de Boer was expelled as a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) for numerous breaches of its code of ethics and rules of professional conduct associated with advice given in relation to Westpoint investments.
De Boer faced 35 charges, of which 29 were upheld by the FPA Disciplinary Committee. As well as being expelled from membership, de Boer was fined $47,000.
Her former employer Centro Financial Synergy Group Pty Ltd has also been banned as a principal member of the FPA. Both outcomes represent the most serious action the FPA is able to take against members, under its constitutional powers.
Centro Financial Synergy Group has no affiliation with Centro Properties Group.
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