Heath Tournier’s fraud allegations rejected by Westpac, fronts court on sex assault charge

An accusation of fraud relating to a $397k loan in the name of a former Geelong entrepreneur, who is currently facing a sexual assault charge, is being looked into by police.

Heath Lionel Tournier. Photo: Supplied.

A fraud claim relating to a bank loan taken out in the name of a businessman and one-time TV star is being looked into by Geelong detectives, amid a serious sexual assault charge being levelled against him.

Former Geelong tradie-turned entrepreneur, Heath Tournier, claims he has been the victim of unproven fraud and money laundering offences dating back more than a decade, leaving him “broke” and “homeless”.

This masthead understands Geelong CIU detectives have reviewed several of the claims and will put further police resources into one allegation – relating to a Westpac loan of $397,112 taken out in February 2013.

Mr Tournier alleges the loan,and two other accounts in his name, were set up without his knowledge using fraudulent signatures.

Former Big Brother star Heath Tournier. Photo: Instagram.

Westpac, known as one of the big four banks in Australia, has been contacted about the allegations by Victoria Police who declined to comment.

Mr Tournier had built successful construction firms in Western Australia and Victoria, a student accommodation business and a real estate company after he shot to fame on Big Brother in 2005.

It comes as a disturbing sexual assault allegation was levelled against Mr Tournier in a Queensland court earlier this month.

Mr Tournier appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 6 accused of a “degrading” alleged sexual assault in October 2022.

The court was told Mr Tournier is accused of pushing his alleged victim onto a bed, choking her then telling her he was “going to rape her” before he allegedly “spat in her face”.

He was arrested in the Brisbane suburb of Cleveland on January 5 sitting in a Black Mercedes Benz with Victorian plates.

He will face eight charges including one each of sexual assault, common assault, low-level drink driving and driving while his licence was suspended.

Originally published as Heath Tournier’s fraud allegations rejected by Westpac, fronts court on sex assault charge