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Gold Coast lawyer John Ramsden facing eight criminal charges in ASIC probe over Members Alliance collapse

A wealthy Gold Coast lawyer is among five men facing criminal charges over the devastating collapse of the Members Alliance and Benchmark group of companies in 2016 and 2017.

Australia's Court System

A GOLD Coast lawyer is among five men facing criminal charges over the devastating collapse of the Members Alliance and Benchmark group of companies in 2016 and 2017.

John Ramsden – whose full name is Shanan John Ryan Ramsden – has been charged with eight counts of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring commission of an offence in contravention of the Corporations Act.

He joined Richard Marlborough, Colin MacVicar, David Domingo and Liam Young, who faced a Brisbane court last week.

The Members Alliance and Benchmark groups allegedly operated property investment vehicles on the Gold Coast, offering financial advice to retail investors.

David Domingo. Picture Mike Batterham
David Domingo. Picture Mike Batterham
Former director of Members Alliance Colin MacVicar. Picture: Tim Marsden
Former director of Members Alliance Colin MacVicar. Picture: Tim Marsden
Richard Marlborough.
Richard Marlborough.

In July, 2016, 18 group companies were put in liquidation with a $26m debt owing to the ATO.

Marlborough is charged with 21 counts of trading while insolvent; 10 counts of dishonestly using his position as a director; one count of disposing of property after becoming (or was about to be) a bankrupt; and one count of fraud.

MacVicar is charged with 13 counts of trading while insolvent; one count of dishonestly using his position as a director; and one count of disposing of property after becoming (or was about to be) a bankrupt.

Young is charged with four counts of trading while insolvent; and five counts of dishonestly using his director position.

Liam Young. Pic by Luke Marsden.
Liam Young. Pic by Luke Marsden.

Domingo is charged with seven counts of trading while insolvent.

As solicitor for Members Alliance, Ramsden is charged with aiding Marlborough, MacVicar and Young in their alleged directors duties offences.

The charges follow an ASIC-led Serious Financial Crime Taskforce investigation into the collapse of the groups and alleged associated phoenix activity.

It is listed for a mention on November 26.

Ramsden is principal of leading Bundall legal practice Ramsden Law, and has also made headlines for his portfolio of multimillion-dollar properties.

Ramsden Lawyers managing partner John Ramsden
Ramsden Lawyers managing partner John Ramsden

kathleen.skene@news.com.au

Originally published as Gold Coast lawyer John Ramsden facing eight criminal charges in ASIC probe over Members Alliance collapse

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-lawyer-john-ramsden-facing-eight-criminal-charges-in-asic-probe-over-members-alliance-collapse/news-story/6a6bb153c9b03f2eb39e96f90077360f