Millionaire businessman David Deicke has been accused in court documents of purchasing a $550,000 Ferrari, but failing to pay for the luxury Italian sports car.
Deicke allegedly bought the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa from former migration agent Jack Ta in October 2022, when the pair agreed that payment would be made in three instalments over a 13-month period, according to a writ filed in the County Court of Victoria.
A 1987 Ferrari Testarossa like the one in dispute.Credit: WikiCommons
Ta received an initial payment of $100,000 from Deicke when the high-performance vehicle was handed over, but claims he is still owed $450,000 and has launched civil court action to recoup the alleged debt.
According to the writ, the agreement was made in written form and is “available for inspection at the offices of the plaintiff’s solicitor”.
However, Deicke has denied ever owning a Ferrari, when contacted by this masthead for comment. The former boxer insisted that he had never heard of Ta, and said he had not received a writ relating to a dispute over a car.
Businessman David Deicke.Credit: Cameron Houston
“That’s not me mate ... I have never owned a Ferrari, ever. You have the wrong person. It’s got nothing to do with me,” according to an SMS from Deicke.
But the County Court writ filed on February 5 states that Deicke resides at a Brighton address, which was also used to register two of his former companies, while the same property at 114A Esplanade appears on the title of another property owned by Deicke in Portsea.
Deicke, who is yet to file a defence, appears next to a red Ferrari on a website promoting his business interests. The 49-year-old describes himself as the “embodiment of dedication, innovation, and entrepreneurial success”.
“His journey, spanning over two decades, showcases a remarkable trajectory from a competitive boxer to a business innovator, and ultimately, a connoisseur of luxury,” Deicke’s website states.
Deicke, who also uses the names David Becks and David Ellis, made his fortune from a string of smash repair businesses, before moving into property development, luxury car hire and hospitality.
Jack Ta claims he was never fully paid over a Ferrari sale.
Lawyer Johnnie Le from JLE Lawyers, who is acting on behalf of Ta, did not respond to several phone calls, or an SMS.
In January 2023, Ta had his registration to act as a migration agent cancelled for five years, after it was revealed by this masthead and 60 Minutes that one of his companies had been used by more than a dozen drug offenders to remain in Australia on bogus asylum seeker claims.
A statement by the Department of Home Affairs found Ta had acted with a blatant disregard to migration laws, made misleading and deceptive statements and deliberately concealed his involvement in a significant number of visa applications.
Ta had previously boasted on social media about his links to the former Morrison government, including photographs with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, when he was home affairs minister.
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