John Coutsoudes admits stealing $18,000 from stepson’s superannuation, tax return

A magistrate has told an Uber driver he “abused his position of trust” when he stole money from his stepson’s superannuation account and tax return to fund his gambling addiction.

John Coutsoudes, 45, pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and was due to be sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

An Uber driver has been ordered to pay $7000 in fines as a punishment for stealing more than $18,000 from his former stepson’s superannuation fund and his tax return money to fund his gambling addiction.

John Coutsoudes, 45, pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday.

On Thursday, Mr Stewart said Coutsoudes has “abused his position of trust” through multiple offences against the same victim over time.

He said he was unable to find that repaying the money on the day he was set to be sentenced was a sign of remorse but noted he had no criminal history.

Mr Stewart sentenced Coutsoudes to a community correction order for two years where he must be of good behaviour.

Carlton man John Coutsoudes transferred $18,467 from his step son's superannuation fund account and his tax return into his own account by changing the details on the son's MyGov account. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Coutsoudes was ordered to pay $7000 in fines, must complete 200 hours of community service and attend gambling counselling.

Agreed facts tendered to court said the victim was 22 at the time and the son of Coutsoudes’ partner of 15 years before their relationship ended in March 2021.

The documents said the Carlton man had helped his stepson set up a superannuation management fund and tax file number when he was 16 years old.

On May 29, 2020 Coutsoudes, who lives in Carlton, withdrew $10,000 from his stepson’s superannuation account and transferred the money into his own bank account.

Coutsoudes made another withdrawal of $4559 from the account with bank records showing he received a deposit from Rest superannuation in his account on October 5, 2020.

About a month later the stepson’s tax return of $3908 was withdrawn and transferred into Coutsoudes’ bank account.

Coutsoudes will be sentenced next Thursday.

The stepson noticed the withdrawal of the tax return money and checked his MyGov account, discovering his postal address, email and phone number had been changed to Coutsoudes’ details.

The victim inquired with MyGov and learnt the linked bank account had been changed to that of Coutsoudes.

He confronted Coutsoudes in text messages and said, “Johnny I just found out this afternoon that you have taken my super and that I did not know or give you my permission” with Coutsoudes replying, “I didn’t take your money, I borrowed it from you”.

The victim reported the fraudulent transfers totalling $18,467 to police and Coutsoudes was charged in August last year.

Coutsoudes’ lawyer Natalija Labanc told the court her client had previously paid $3000 in instalments since March before he transferred the remaining $15,000 on Tuesday.

She said Coutsoudes worked as an Uber driver between 50 to 60 hours a week.

Ms Labanc said Coutsoudes had “no excuse” for his crime and accepted what he did, adding he was “embarrassed and devastated” by his behaviour.

She said Coutsoudes stole the money from his stepson “out of desperation” to fund his gambling addiction, noting he had been barred from multiple gaming venues.

Ms Labanc added Coutsoudes was under work, personal and financial stress at the time which had led to serious mental health issues, which he was now seeking treatment for from a psychologist.