Shonky Berwick real estate agent Geoff Horne jailed for rorting $175,000 via clients’ deposit cash
A former cop turned serial-swindling Berwick real estate agent rorted big money from his trusting clients through shonky deals but he is still allowed to work in the property game. Find out why.
South East
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A shonky Berwick real estate agent concocted a $175,000 property sale rort to save his failing business, a court has heard.
Geoff Horne, 55, was sentenced in the County Court on Monday to nine months’ jail after pleading guilty to two rolled-up theft charges.
Horne was a licenced real estate agent for his company Geoff Horne Real Estate Pty Ltd when he rorted $175,000 from two clients.
Horne sold his clients’ properties then pocketed the deposit money for himself via 28 separate withdrawals.
The serial swindlers’ skulduggery began after he was engaged to sell a victim’s Cranbourne West home in May 2018.
The property’s buyer paid $104,000 into a trust account held by Horne.
However, instead of kicking the cash to his clients Horn pocketed the dough for himself.
Horne pocketed another $71,500 after he was engaged to sell a Berwick home for other clients in July 2018.
Horne stonewalled his victims on the countless occasions they contacted him asking for their cash
The owner of the Cranbourne West property — which sold for $525,000 — reported Horne to police in December 2018.
Horne was arrested and charged in May 2019.
The court heard Horne blew the money on bills, debts, rent and other living expenses.
Horne — through his lawyer — admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong but thieved anyway because his business was “slowing down”.
Horne said he planned to pay back the money but instead his business went under.
At the time of his arrest he owed $200,000, the court heard.
Horne claimed he stole the money knowing his clients would get their deposits back via Consumer Affairs.
Horne, a dad and former NSW copper, was jailed in 2003 after he was nabbed for more than 30 fraud charges.
Horne’s real estate licence was cancelled but he now owns and operates Real Estate Agents League — a company which coordinates sole trader agents.
The court heard Horne has 25 estate agents in his stable.
Judge Martine Marich said Horne’s offending was “serious and concerning”.
“You received very substantial amounts on your clients’ behalf … and then you immediately, brazenly, misused your fiduciary position to draw down those moneys for your own purposes,” she said.
“Your personal and business finances were in tatters and you resorted to stealing form your beneficiaries to keep your modest lifestyle intact.”
Judge Marich took into account Horne’s guilty plea and his age when also sentencing him to a two-year community correction order.
Horne was ordered to repay compensation of $165,476.01.
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