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Adcon and Descon Group boss Danny Isaac spent more than $160,000 on flights since 2021

As subcontractors, lenders and staff struggled under millions in debt owed by Descon Group Australia and its companies, the group boss was on first-class global flights. Read his response

Descon Group Australia in liquidation

As subcontractors, lenders and staff struggled under the weight of millions in debt owed by Descon Group Australia and its companies, the group’s boss was taking first-class global flights.

Danny Isaac, also known as Sami Adib, took 12 first-class flights between Australia and Dubai since December 2021 – paying between $11,000 and $27,000 a trip, documents lodged in the Federal Court have revealed.

In an affidavit signed in Dubai this week, Mr Isaac revealed he also jetted first and business class to other destinations, including England, Spain and Bangladesh, paying for the flights by credit card.

More than $160,000 was spent on flights outlined in the court document.

A crew member stands behind a refreshments bar in the first class cabin of an Airbus SE A380 aircraft as Emirates take delivery of their 100th A380 passenger jet in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.
A crew member stands behind a refreshments bar in the first class cabin of an Airbus SE A380 aircraft as Emirates take delivery of their 100th A380 passenger jet in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.

His billing address for some of the tickets was listed as the luxury Burj Al Arab hotel tower, where room rates range from $2500 to $24,000 a night.

The affidavit was lodged in bankruptcy proceedings against Mr Isaac, which he is defending, brought by steel supplier Okaya.

In it, Mr Isaac seeks to demonstrate that he has not gone to Dubai to “avoid paying (his) creditors”, but instead to secure finance for his companies and visit family.

Among the flights listed on the affidavit is one from Dubai to Brisbane on June 24 this year.

It was booked as a flexi fare the same day he signed the affidavit.

Mr Isaac’s submission to the court included statements from his bank accounts showing multiple payments made to Sydney debt collector Joe El Azzi, financier CVS Lane, construction contractors Sillaro and Kingy’s as well as labour hire company Brinzcon.

Mr Isaac’s billing address for some of the flights was the Burj al Arab hotel.
Mr Isaac’s billing address for some of the flights was the Burj al Arab hotel.

Mr Isaac’s affidavit said he was seeking to refinance his companies in Dubai, a process he said had been “largely successful”.

“Presently, my estranged wife and my son are resident in Dubai, and the only way that I can see my son is if I travel to Dubai,” he said.

“I plan to continue to travel to Dubai to visit him even after I return to Australia.

“At no stage has my purpose of travel to Dubai been to avoid paying my creditors, and in fact I have caused at least $1,597,237.44 to be paid towards my personal liabilities during my most

recent trip to Dubai.”

The Okaya matter is due for hearing in the federal Court on June 18.

Construction boss Danny Isaac, aka, Sami Adib.
Construction boss Danny Isaac, aka, Sami Adib.

The revelations about the high-flying Descon boss will grate for scores of creditors of his companies who have battled to be paid what they’re owed including the ATO and subcontractors on his construction projects.

Mr Isaac has previously been bankrupt under the name Sami Adib, and was able to obtain builder licences in three states and direct more than 20 companies while still bankrupt.

The QBCC banned him from the industry for three years in March, but has not cancelled the licence for Descon Group Australia, of which he is a director.

Developer Anthony Quinn is a supporting creditor of the Okaya action and also seeking to bankrupt Mr Isaac, in separate proceedings that were scheduled for hearing next week.

Mr Isaac is also defending those proceedings, claiming he was not properly served a bankruptcy notice and that he was solvent.

kathleen.skene@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/business/gold-coast-business/adcon-and-descon-group-boss-danny-isaac-spent-more-than-160000-on-flights-since-2021/news-story/3a771f732a58eadd87a6a822ff983f2f