Delays over police documents for court case of Ashlyn Nassif’s $150m bank scam allegations

A fugitive property developer’s glamorous daughter is accused of a $150m bank scam, with the case now dragging for more than a year.

The daughter of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif charged with a $150m bank scam is facing legal delays as her lawyers argue with police about documents.

Ashlyn Nassif is accused of falsifying documents to meet a $10.5m pre-sale condition for three towers of the Skyview apartment complex in Castle Hill in Sydney’s northwest.

Police allege the 29-year-old lawyer submitted fake contracts to Westpac bank over three months in late 2021 to obtain a $150m loan in order to fund about 900 apartments.

The $900m apartment tower complex was being built by her father’s development company, Toplace. The company has since collapsed with outstanding debts of more than $1.24bn.

Ashlyn Nassif was dressed in all black in court on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The matter has now dragged on for more than a year, with Ms Nassif first arrested in February 2023.

Ms Nassif fronted Burwood Local Court on Wednesday wearing a black T-shirt, pants and heels with her hair swept up in a clip.

She sat at the front of the public gallery as the court was told the matter would continue to drag on due to arguments over subpoenas.

Representing the NSW Police Commissioner, Georgia Ohtaras told the court the majority of the material required by the subpoena had been served on the defence and provided to the court.

However, there is objection to four paragraphs of the subpoena, meaning the parties will need to argue the matter at a hearing in May.

Ms Ohtaras told the court the hearing is expected to run for two hours, with the debate expected to be about legal professional privilege.

The court was told a case conference had been held between Ms Nassif’s lawyers and the Office of The Director of Public Prosecutions.

However, a plea was not entered on Wednesday.

The glamorous lawyer did not answer questions when leaving. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Her matter was delayed again. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The matter will also return to court in April for a subpoena issue with Westpac.

She did not answer questions from media about entering a plea, or her father’s where

In September last year, Ms Nassif’s lawyer foreshadowed an application to discharge the proceedings due to lengthy delays.

However, Ms Haideri did not make the application on Wednesday and told NCA NewsWire that she would not comment on the decision.

Ms Nassif is facing charges of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and publishing false or misleading material.

She has not entered pleas to the two charges.

It has now been more than a year after she was charged with defrauding the major bank out of $150m.

The partner at law firm EA Legal was arrested in February 2023 after her office was raided by police.

She is accused of a $150m bank scam. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the firm, and Ms Nassif was suspended from practising law by the NSW Law Society after the fraud charges were laid.

She could be reinstated, pending the outcome of the criminal charges laid against her.

Ms Nassif was granted bail in May after her family deposited a $2.6m surety to ensure she would appear in court.

As part of her bail conditions, she is not permitted to contact dozens of people who police believe are connected to the allegations against her, including her property developer father.

Mr Nassif is not charged as his daughter’s co-accused, but police have issued a warrant for his arrest in relation to the allegedly fraudulent $150m loan.

The embattled property developer is a fugitive and believed to be living in Lebanon.

Originally published as Delays over police documents for court case of Ashlyn Nassif’s $150m bank scam allegations