Scoundrel son David Anderson jailed for stealing $543,000 from dying dad
A gambling-addicted scoundrel who stole $543,000 from his dying dad has been described as a “fantastic bloke” who helped out at his children’s sports clubs despite splashing the stolen cash on the ponies, stock market gambling and a new boat.
East
Don't miss out on the headlines from East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A scoundrel son who siphoned $543,000 from his dying dad’s bank account which he blew on gambling, legal fees and a new boat has been jailed.
David Anderson, 44, was sentenced in the County Court on Friday to a minimum two years’ jail after pleading guilty to theft.
Anderson, from Ferntree Gully, kicked off his deceit shortly after he was made executor of his father John Anderson’s will in February 2014.
Mr Anderson left all his wealth to his wife, Veronica Anderson, if she survived him and she did.
Had Mrs Anderson passed away, half the wealth would go to Anderson and his sister, with the rest split between various stepchildren.
In July 2014, Anderson was made power of attorney after his father’s Parkinson’s-related dementia rendered him “incapable of making reasonable decisions”.
A family dispute concerning access to Mr Anderson erupted after Anderson arranged for his father to be moved to a permanent aged care facility.
Anderson’s sister, Julie Fairfield, became suspicious and her brother ceased being power of attorney in April 2016.
New administrators of the dad’s affairs, soon discovered “numerous financial irregularities”.
These included dozens of bank transfers to accounts held by Anderson and other “third parties”.
The administrators sent Anderson two letters asking him to account for his father’s finances but he stonewalled the inquiry.
The trustees reported its “suspicions of theft” to Victoria Police in July 2017.
Investigations revealed Anderson funnelled $542,991 into several bank accounts while power of attorney between June 2014 and April 2016.
The court heard Anderson blew the cash on gambling, a divorce and a new boat as his dad lay dying of Parkinson’s disease in a special care facility.
Anderson was interviewed, arrested and charged at Knox police station on November 12, 2018 – barely a month after his father passed away following “years of suffering”.
The court heard Anderson, a carpenter, was “heavily addicted” to punting on the ponies but suffered heavy losses.
The former Boronia Secondary College student also “gambled” on the stock market.
It was submitted Anderson kept thieving to chase his losses.
The court was told Anderson had “good character” and was actively involved in his children’s sports clubs.
A former boss described Anderson as a “fantastic bloke”.
Judge Fiona Todd jailed Anderson for a maximum three years.
A compensation order to recover the money on behalf of Mrs Anderson is still under consideration.
MORE NEWS
SCOUNDREL BOOKKEEPER BLEW STOLEN CASH ON HOME RENOVATIONS