‘Through gritted teeth’: Judge begrudgingly delays alleged real estate swindler Justin Scavo’s plea

A South Morang realtor who allegedly took $185k of his clients’ cash and funnelled it into his gambling addiction slammed by judge in court.

A South Morang realtor who is accused of stealing $185k from prospective homebuyers has faced the County Court. Picture: Diego Fedele

A real estate agent accused of dipping into the trust accounts of hopeful homeowners has been told off in court for interrupting, not listening and once again delaying his guilty plea.

Justin Scavo, 40, allegedly raided $185k from the trust accounts of prospective home buyers while he served as the director of South Morang’s Revolve Real Estate, from April 2018 to August 2019.

The Mill Park man appeared before the County Court unrepresented on Wednesday to ask for another adjournment to get a lawyer.

The court heard Mr Scavo was initially rejected for legal aid representation but was approved for a lawyer on Wednesday morning, five minutes before he was due to plead guilty.

Justin Scavo, 40, appeared before the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday.

Judge Gerard Mullaly approved the last minute adjournment bid “through gritted teeth”.

“Do you understand my level of frustration with the delay?” Judge Mullaly said.

“This matter should well and truly be done.”

Throughout the proceeding Mr Scavo was also told off for interrupting Judge Mullaly and not paying attention.

“Can you listen,” Judge Mullaly said to Mr Scavo.

The case has previously bounced between the Magistrates Court and the County Court and has been subject to lengthy delays.

Justin Scavo’s bail was extended on Wednesday. Picture: Diego Fedele

In a previous hearing in April last year Magistrate Carolyn Burnside said that for most members of the community, the decision to buy a house was “one of the most anxiety driven and emotionally draining experiences ever endured”.

She said that property deposits had been entrusted by clients to Mr Scavo “to ensure the purchase and settlement of these homes, for some of whom are dream homes no doubt”.

But he allegedly “abused their trust for your own gain” and used the deposit cash “for your own advancement, business related expenses as well as funding your own gambling and betting interests”.

“You did have something of a gambling problem,” Ms Burnside said.

Consumer Affairs cancelled Mr Scavo’s real estate licence. Picture: Supplied

Consumer Affairs confirmed it had cancelled Mr Scavo and his real estate agency’s licences, had frozen its trust accounts and deregistered the business in 2022.

It came after complaints from clients that they bought property in Doreen, Thomastown and Kinglake through Revolve Real Estate and never had their deposit money paid.

More than $120,000 in claims by customers was later paid out by the Victorian Property Fund, which reimburses those who lose cash because of the actions of real estate agents.

On Wednesday, Mr Scavo was ordered to undergo an assessment for a community corrections order so there would be no further delays in his proceedings.

He will next appear before the County Court of Victoria on July 29.