Judge rules Melissa Caddick’s assets can be sold off to pay back investors

Conwoman Melissa Caddick’s husband and parents could lose their homes to allow receivers to recoup the $23 million she scammed from investors.

Missing conwoman Melissa Caddick’s husband and her parents could lose their homes to pay back the $23,554,000 she swindled from investors following a Federal Court ruling this afternoon.

Justice Brigitte Markovic has officially appointed receivers and liquidators to the dodgy businesswoman’s affairs - but the judge has stopped short of finding that Caddick, who has not been seen since November last year, is dead.

The judge ruled that Caddick, 49, and her company Maliver Pty Ltd had breached corporations law by operating without Australian Financial Services Licences and said receivers Jones Partners can sell off her assets to pay the investors she scammed.

Melissa Caddick’s husband Anthony Koletti outside their Dover Heights home on Monday. Picture: David Swift

Melissa Caddick has not been seen since November 2020.

Listening in to the Sydney court hearing were Ms Caddick’s parents, Barbara and Ted Grimley, who could lose the Edgecliff penthouse bought in her name but to which they say they contributed $1.1 million towards.

Ms Caddick’s husband, former hairdresser and DJ Anthony Koletti, who still lives rent-free in her heavily-mortgaged $7 million Dover Heights mansion along with her teenage son, was also listening in.

Justice Markovic said that owing to Caddick’s “unknown status” and potential claims against her from people other than investors, the receivers will need to seek court orders before selling the properties.

The Dover Heights home of Anthony Koletti. Picture: John Grainger

Melissa Caddick and Anthony Koletti. Picture: Supplied via 7News

Caddick has not been seen since the morning after officials raided her home in November.

A foot found in a running shoe has been linked through DNA as belonging to her after it was found on isolated Bournda Beach, south of Tathra, on February 21.

The case against her was brought by the corporate watchdog ASIC to find and secure as much as possible for the 74 investors who have so far been tracked down. However the investors will still have to wait.

They trusted that she was investing their life savings for them but instead she spent the money on herself, the judge said today.

Jones Partners have revealed the missing millions were wasted on designer clothes, flash jewellery, overseas holidays and buying her eastern suburbs home, the Edgecliff penthouse and an Aspen ski lodge.

She tricked investors with a complex network of lies and forged documents.

There is no suggestion her parents or brother were aware of or had any involvement in Ms Caddick’s actions not that Mr Koletti had anything to do with her disappearance and presumed death.