Doctors’ order: Come back Jean Nassif, there’s no place like home

Medical experts assure us besieged developer Jean Nassif’s “anxiety depression” won’t be worsened by flying from Lebanon to Australia to face the 500-odd creditors he’s left high and dry. We’ll even stump up the airfare.

Come fly with us: A digitally-created air ticket for Jean Nassif, who says he is ill and suffering anxiety and depression, inset. Pictures: Digitally altered/Supplied

Doctor’s orders, Jean Nassif: it’s time to take a Bex and lie down … in business class, if that’s what it takes to get you home. And The Daily Telegraph is happy to pay your airfare back home to Sydney.

A medical expert has weighed in on the “anxious” Toplace founder’s predicament suggesting his “anxiety depression” might not be any worse off if he gets on a plane from Lebanon to face the 500-odd creditors he’s left behind.

In fact, doctors’ often suggest patients take a trip away and have a breather – the change of scenery does them good.

So it might for you too, Mr Nassif. But if not, as they say, there’s no place like home.

A picture exclusively revealed in the Sunday Telegraph this week showed a pale-looking Nassif on a hospital stretcher, strapped up to countless machines and monitors.

Toplace founder Jean Nassif in hospital recently. Picture: Supplied ago

Sources close to the besieged developer claimed the picture was taken recently at a Lebanon hospital where he was being treated for mental illness which prevented him returning home.

But leading cardiologist Dr Ross Walker said there was “not the slightest” reason to postpone travel solely due to depression and anxiety.

Under seige property developer Jean Nassif leaving Burwood Local Court last year. Picture: News Corp

“There is no medical reason you can’t fly … an air flight won’t affect that too much,” Dr Walker said.

“Of course, if a person’s suicidal, that’s a different issue, but if someone is just anxious or agitated, there’s no medical reason not to fly.”

Between us Nassif, if it’s really your finances that’s keeping you away, given your $1.5b property empire has just gone into liquidation, then The Daily Telegraph is happy to fork out for the ticket, all in the interest of justice.

(We just can’t guarantee NSW Police won’t be waiting on the tarmac, after an arrest warrant was issued last month as part of an investigation into allegations of “large-scale fraud” at his family business.)

CREDITORS OWED $200M

More than 500 creditors who packed Drummoyne Oval last Wednesday for a meeting with Toplace’s administrators are keen to see you back home too.

It’s understood the claim of debt against by creditors is already more than $200 million, and expected to climb.

Nassif’s concerned mates claim his anxiety is partly brought on by missing his three young children who remain at the family home, in Sydney’s inner west, being cared for by their mother Nisserine “Nissy” Nassif.

Mrs Nassif isn’t letting her husband’s woes hold her back from the charity work she’s long been involved in.

In a few weeks time, Mrs Nassif will reportedly feature in a reality TV special – Adventure All Stars.

Nisserine “Nissy” Nassif out with a friend in Sydney recently. Picture: Supplied

Nissy Nassif, estranged wife of property developer Jean Nassif, at a charity event in June. Picture: Supplied

The charity maven, who started the Wiping Tears Foundation, will join 11 other contestants for a six-day event where they raise money for a chosen charity.

Last month, she was pictured on a judging panel at the 2023 Australian International Multicultural Business Awards.

The glamorous mother-of-three made became a social media celebrity in 2019 when Nassif bought her a yellow Lamborghini and posted a video online.

“Congratulations Mrs Nassif … you like?” he said in the video.

Charles Lee and his wife Patricia bought one of Toplace’s Atmosphere units in Castle Hill. They’re still awaiting a ‘full occupancy certificate’ — the final safety and building checks that sign the building off as ‘completed’ — and would be looking at around $200,000 in losses if they sold.

“We’re after rectification not retribution,” Mr Lee said.

Mr Lee said it “would be nice if Mr Nassif came back (from Lebanon)”, but he didn’t care as long as the work got done.

“If he came back, released the money he owed, fixed the outstanding issues — that would be good,” he said.

“Better to be here than overseas. But he’s got his chequebook there, he can give orders.

“Get in there, fix it, and get out — and then we’ll leave him alone!”