Que Models takes former employee Mandy St George to court for alleged stolen payments

The head booker for a Gold Coast modelling agency which sent talent to Paris Fashion Week allegedly stole agency payments and poached models, according to court documents filed as part of an $800k claim.

Que Models founders and brothers, Jared and Ryan Verbruggen have taken former employee Mandy St George (right) to court over claims of stolen agency payments and poaching models.

One of the state’s top modelling agencies claims they have been left picking up the pieces after a former employee allegedly stole six figures worth of agency payments and poached models, according to court documents.

Que Models – who have provided models for Paris Fashion Week – has lodged Federal Court action against Mandy St George-Crowe for allegedly changing invoice details to her own bank account.

Ms St George-Crowe was on a $90,000-a-year salary and was paid profits from a 20 per cent ownership stake in Que Models, the court documents said.

In court documents they also claim Ms St George-Crowe told clients and models that Que Models were “rebranding” to Saint Model Management.

Que Models founders and brothers, Jared and Ryan Verbruggen, in their Que Models office at Broadbeach Waters. Picture Glenn Hampson

Ms St George-Crowe’s husband has been named as a co-respondent as a director of Saint Family Holdings, which according to court documents owns Saint Model Management.

Que Models claim Ms St George’s actions have cost them at least $400,000 in agency fees and about $400,000 in future income.

The allegedly misappropriated funds include payments of invoice amounts ranging in the hundreds of dollars up to about $15,000, the court documents claim.

The Gold Coast-based modelling agency was launched in 2013 by brothers Jared and Ryan Verbruggen and provide models for anything from commercial talent to high fashion.

Que Models is one of the three largest modelling agencies in Queensland booking talent for jobs Australia wide plus in Paris, Milan, New York, Japan and across Asia.

The court documents claim that Ms St George-Crowe – also known as Amanda St George – first started working for the brother’s company in September 2013.

Former Que Models employee Mandy St George. Picture Mike Batterham

She allegedly stayed with Que Models rising to head booker.

It is claimed in court documents that Ms St George-Crowe left in January this year and her alleged actions were discovered.

Jared Verbruggen told the Bulletin: “When we became aware of this (alleged behaviour) we were in complete shock.”

In court documents, it is alleged:

* Between currently unknown dates, Ms St George-Crowe allegedly changed Que Model’s tax invoices by changing the payment details to bank accounts belonging to her, her husband or Saint Model Management, the court documents claim,

* Que Models claims in court documents Ms St George-Crowe sent an email to models represented by their firm stating she had ceased employment with Que Models and advising them she had started her own modelling agency;

* According to court documents, Ms St George-Crowe allegedly approached models with contracts with Que Models and asked them to sign new agreements with Que Model Management and then from November last year asked for new agreements with Saint Model Management;

Que Models founders and brothers, Jared and Ryan Verbruggen, in their Que Models office at Broadbeach Waters. Picture Glenn Hampson

* Saint Model Management on their website allegedly used the same photos of models as the Que Models website, the court documents claim;

* The courts documents include a portion of an email sent to another modelling agency allegedly sent from Ms St George-Crowe’s Que Models’ email address on December 14 last year. The email allegedly said: “I am re branding (sic) the agency in 2023 to Saint Model Management pty ltd (sic). If you want to use that – that would be great and I will do a push for her in 2023”; and.

* Ms St George-Crowe allegedly sent a bulk email on February 1, 2023 with pictures of Que Models saying they were now represented by Saint Model Management;

* According to court documents, in July 2021 a business was set up with the name Que Model Management and used that name until it was changed to Saint Model Management in September last year when it was alleged changed to ACN 6251 853 271; and

* The same month Saint Model Management was allegedly incorporated as a company as a wholly owned subsidiary of Saint Family Holdings with Ms St George-Crowe and her husband Darren Crowe are directors, the court documents state.

The Bulletin contacted Ms St George-Crowe who said she had referred the matter to her lawyers who did not respond by the time of publication.

Ms St George-Crowe and Mr Crowe are yet to file a response.

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Originally published as Que Models takes former employee Mandy St George to court for alleged stolen payments