Daniela Vella and Mark Reuben allegedly breached Real Estate Act

Two Melbourne real estate agents including a volunteer at The Royal Children’s Hospital have been hauled to court over alleged mismanagement of clients’ money worth $1.4m

Mark Alexander Reuben of Mark Reuben Property is facing charges of alleged unlicensed trading and trust account breaches

A top Melbourne real estate agent involved in a number of charities and a fellow realtor are fighting charges of alleged mismanagement of trust accounts totalling $1.4m.

Consumer Affairs Victoria has filed dozens of charges against Greenvale-based Mark Alexander Reuben of Reuben Property Group and Daniela Vella, the principal agent at Harrison Parker Real Estate, in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Court documents state that Vella, 52, of Essendon West, allegedly caused a deficiency of $824,902 in the company trust account on six occasions, between August and October 2024.

Consumer Affairs is also alleging that Ms Vella converted $188,640 from the trust account for her personal use on 67 occasions.

Daniela Vella of Harrison Parker Real Estate in Greenvale is accused of mismanagement of client trust account funds of $1m.

Mr Reuben allegedly operated his company without a licence and failed to properly manage $400,000 in a trust fund. He also allegedly failed to complete an audit of trust accounts.

Dubbed on RateMyAgent as a “powerhouse” in Melbourne inner city apartment market, Mr Reuben volunteers for UNICEF, The Royal Children’s Hospital and other local charities.

According to RateMy Agent, the father of two has also had a highly successful international career as a champion jockey

Mr Reuben and Ms Vella are yet to plead to the charges.

Champion jockey and charity worker Mark Reuben is facing charges of alleged unlicensed trading as a real estate agent and trust account breaches.

Consumer Affairs said agents who traded without a licence faced up to 12 months’ imprisonment or a maximum fine of $100,000.

Those who failed to deposit trust money into a trust fund or failed to complete audits risked up to $23,710 per breach, for each year the violation is committed.

The government agency is urging property owners to do their due diligence and check the online public register before engaging agents to sell their properties.