Fraudster boasted about moving debts away from failed company Inotap

John Issa was heard talking about moving debts away from Inotap, the company which previously had Anthony Minichiello and Rod McGeoch as directors.

John Issa (right) with former NRL player Anthony Minichiello and basketballer Lauren Jackson at the 2023 NSW Sport Awards. Picture: Supplied

Convicted fraudster John Issa reportedly boasted about moving debts away from Inotap, the failing start-up company which has been linked to several high-profile personalities.

Notes from an explosive meeting in April reveal Mr Issa detailed plans to remove his other failed businesses out of the Inotap umbrella, in order to avoid insolvency.

“We’ve removed Go Check ID, Seeky and we’ve removed Sports Foyer out of the group,” Mr Issa was quoted saying in the meeting.

“They are completely removed from the Inotap organisation.

“The reason we’ve moved them out is the only debt they carry is an ATO debt.”

John Issa, convicted fraudster and founder of Inotap, was heard boasting about moving debts away from the company. Picture: Supplied

He continued: “Everybody is saying that I’m taking this to another level which I shouldn’t be.

“I’m doing this to clear it out and give everybody comfort. So I removed those companies completely from the group. That’s been structured to protect Inotap remaining solvent.”

By this stage, Mr Issa’s other companies — Go Check ID, Seeky and Sports Foyer — had combined tax debts of more than $1 million.

His two high-profile founding directors, former NRL star Anthony Minichiello and legendary sporting administrator Rod McGeoch, had also resigned from the Inotap board.

Both Mr Minichiello and Mr McGeoch claim they had no knowledge of Mr Issa’s fraud conviction, which under the Corporations Act may have automatically disqualified him from managing a company, and deny any wrongdoing.

The Daily Telegraph has spoken to five former employees and contractors who say they are owed money by Mr Issa and his businesses. Some individuals claim to be out of pocket by more than $60,000.

In the April board meeting, Mr Issa also revealed he had racked up $650,000 in legal fees with Corrs Chambers Wesgarth.

In a statement Corrs Chambers Wesgarth confirmed their involvement, but said they “ceased to act for the Inotap group following John Issa being declared bankrupt.”

“No Corrs partner, lawyer or other staff member has held any position with, or had any interest in or other involvement with, the Inotap group” they said.

Supplied image of the board of directors of failed start-up company Inotap. Mr McGeoch and Mr Minichiello have since resigned from the board and deny any wrongdoing.

Meeting notes also reveal a separate debt owed to Sport NSW, for when Mr Issa’s company Sports Foyer sponsored its annual awards. The amount owing is understood to be $50,000.

Pictures obtained by The Daily Telegraph of the Sports NSW 2023 awards night show Mr Issa with Mr Minichiello and basketball legend Lauren Jackson, who was presented with the prestigious Waratah Award. Ms Jackson has no involvement with Mr Issa.

Mr Issa was recently declared bankrupt and Inotap is now subject to two upcoming legal cases, including wind-up action from a former investor who is seeking more than $250,000. Several other Sydney identities have also been caught up in the Inotap saga, including former NRL CEO David Gallop and Leagues Club Australia CEO Don Hammond, who were both wrongly listed as company directors.

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Originally published as Fraudster boasted about moving debts away from failed company Inotap