Beau Timothy John Hartnett appeals bankruptcy order made in landmark Federal Court ruling

A disgraced Gold Coast lawyer, who spent years trying to avoid his debts to an elderly man before being bankrupted in a landmark Federal Court case, is having another crack at getting his way. Read his next move

A disgraced Gold Coast lawyer, who spent years trying to avoid his debts to an elderly man before being bankrupted in a landmark Federal Court case, is having another crack at getting his way.

Beau Timothy John Hartnett, 60, was forced into bankruptcy after declaring he was broke to avoid paying his debts – while living in a mansion and being linked to valuable trust funds.

Court records show Mr Hartnett lodged an appeal on Monday against the decision of Justice Kylie Downes, who described him as an unreliable witness and rejected all of his evidence.

According to the court filing, Mr Hartnett is being represented by Hartnett Lawyers, of which his wife Suzanne Weel is principal.

Mr Hartnett’s LinkedIn profile listed him as a “consultant” to the firm.

In his statement of affairs, filed with the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) by thebankruptcy trustee, Mr Hartnett declared he owed almost $10m to Ms Weel’s companies.

Beau Hartnett and his wife Suzanne Weel.

AFSA, Mr Hartnett and Ms Weel all declined to comment on the appeal.

The court action against Mr Hartnett came after the Bulletin broke the story and sent questions to the bankruptcy watchdog.

It was the first time the Inspector-General in Bankruptcy had taken this kind of action since the Bankruptcy Act came into effect in 1966.

Lismore retiree Anthony Bell was owed more than $580,000 by Mr Hartnett, after charged his client $288,000 to enforce a $30,000 mortgage.

Mr Hartnett was found to have “exorbitantly” charged his client, with the appeals judge saying the behaviour “debases the reputation of the legal profession”

Mr Hartnett spent years in court trying to avoid repaying the money before declaring insolvency.

His personal insolvency agreement, that saw creditors including Mr Bell receive less than 3c for every dollar they were owed, was set aside in the Federal case.

He was struck from Queensland’s register of solicitors in December after withdrawing his certificate renewal application.