Alleged NDIS fraudster’s company, Summa Care Staffing Group Ltd, revealed to owe creditors $1.4m

A Sunshine Coast disability care provider has collapsed with approximately $1.4m owing to creditors as the company’s director faces fraud allegations.

Candice Dixie Dover leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court. Picture: Sam Turner

A Sunshine Coast disability care provider has collapsed owing approximately $1.4m in debt, while the company’s director faces allegations of fraud.

Liquidator James Imray was appointed to wind up the company, Summa Care Staffing Group Ltd, on May 14, 2024 by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

ASIC documents show the company was directed by Candice Dover who began operating the disability service in February 2021 from a commercial site in Caloundra West.

Mr Imray’s statutory report to creditors was published to ASIC on May 28, outlining the debts and likelihood of dividends for creditors while attributing the company’s failure to unpaid related-party debts.

Mr Imray stated a “substantial insolvent trading claim” was expected to be made against Ms Dover due to transactions made by the company after October 2021, when it is revealed the company likely became insolvent.

Within the statutory report to creditors, Mr Imray stated Ms Dover was currently engaged in criminal proceedings regarding allegations she defrauded the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Candice Dixie Dover.

“It appears the company ceased to trade in or around April 2022. I understand that preceding this, in or around December 2021, criminal proceedings were brought against the company’s director, Ms Candice Dover, in relation to allegations that she defrauded the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” Mr Imray said.

“These criminal proceedings appear to remain ongoing.”

Mr Imray also stated in the statutory report a number of former employees had made claims they were underpaid by Summa Care Staffing Group.

“Several former employees of the company have also alleged that they were underpaid, because the hours recorded on their pay slips and paid were less than their hours worked and recorded in their timesheets,” Mr Imray said.

The report to creditors showed there were a number of debts owed by the company including $712,328 to the Australian Taxation Office as well as approximately $145,015 in unpaid wages and $260,145 in superannuation.

Mr Imray said it was unlikely employee creditors would receive a dividend as there had been no assets uncovered in the liquidation.

It is estimated it will take more than one year to wind the company up.