Acclaimed Chef James Mussillon blames autism for money laundering

An acclaimed restaurateur and chef has blamed autism for being involved in a money-laundering scandal.

James Mussillon leaves the ACT Law Courts on March 29. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

An acclaimed Canberra restaurateur told a forensic psychologist he ‘didn’t have the brains” for money laundering, a court has heard

James Mussillon, 51, pleaded guilty to money laundering, perjury, making false evidence, general dishonesty and obtaining property by deception.

Mussillon admitted to laundering $361,941 between 2016 and 2021 from an alleged drug trafficker by making it appear he was an employee at his restaurant Courgette.

During the Covid-19 pandemic he also claimed $31,900 in Jobkeeper benefits for the alleged trafficker in order to make him look like a legitimate employee.

Mussillon was also involved in an incident where he fabricated a loan document to convince the police to give a large sum of cash.

He was also charged for lying in court about the alleged drug dealer’s employment at Courgette during a bail application.

Mussillon also admitted collecting and moving $175,000 from a car for the same alleged drug dealer.

James Mussillon leaves the ACT Law Courts on March 29. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

On Wednesday forensic psychiatrist Associate Professor Andrew Carroll told the ACT Supreme Court Mussillon had autism, a learning disorder and PTSD

He said Mussillon was “socially incompetent” due to his conditions and said this incompetency led to him being “caught in a web” of working with underworld figures.

Associate Professor Carroll said Mussillon “does not really have friends like other people do” and said he mainly saw work colleagues as friends.

The psychiatrist also told the court Mussillon told him he “didn’t have the brains” for money laundering.

The court heard Mussillon had only attended school until Year 9, had issues with literacy and had an IQ on the border of the low and normal range.

However Prosecutor Keegan Lee asked even if this was true, “to what extent does it matter”, citing the fact Mussillon had run three restaurants for more than 20 years.

In regards to Associate Professor Carroll diagnosing Mussillon with autism, Mr Lee said the diagnosis relied on self report.

“We know that (Mussillon) has lied when it suits him” he said.

“We also say he’s been dishonest to (Associate Professor) Carroll.”

Justice David Mossop will sentence Mussillon on a later date.