Horizon SolSolutions calls in liquidators after being permanently banned from NDIS scheme

Claims Cocoon SDA Care executives - including former Bachelor contestant-turned EA - were paid last week, while others are allegedly owed thousands, have infuriated staff.

Disgraced NDIS provider Cocoon SDA’s owner has called in liquidators after being permanently banned from the scheme for allegedly billing taxpayers for fake services to people who were dead or in jail.

In a statement on Thursday, Horizon SolSolutions said that on legal advice it had “formally resolved to enter liquidation” following “the banning of Cocoon SDA Care and its director by the NDIS.”

When contacted by this masthead and asked to comment on the liquidiation, Horizon’s sole director Muhammad Latif said: “Talk to Deloitte.”

He would not comment on his banning.

However, it has been claimed that some senior executives, including former Bachelor contestant Marg Irving, formerly Zogoulas, received a paycheck last week, leaving other staff fuming.

One, who is allegedly owed around $30,000 and claims they are missing $7000 in superannuation, said they had been told “certain” employees were paid last week.

“It’s an absolute disgrace,” they said.

“Now that liquidators are involved we are not likely to see anything.

Marguerite Zogoulas (now Irving), is the EA to Zaffar Khan, at Cocoon SDA. She is a former contestant on the Bachelor. Picture: Instagram.

“I’m furious. They’ve put us in this situation and still reaping the benefits.

“I’m one of many who are owed money. I can’t believe they haven’t paid the direct care staff who are the ones providing the care to our most vulnerable. They should have been the priority.”

Corporate strategist Zaffar Khan responded to the claims some staff had been paid, while others had not.

“We are unable to comment on specific individuals or payment matters, as these fall under the responsibility and authority of Deloitte,” Mr Khan said.

“We respectfully direct all queries to the liquidators for any further clarification.”

According to a new filing with the corporate regulator, Horizon’s liquidators are Deloitte’s David Mansfield and Phil Robinson.

Deloitte told this masthead it had also been appointed to related companies Australian Super Disability Services and Vic Dial a Home Doctor.

Cocoon SDA’s owner has called in liquidators after being permanently banned from the NDIS scheme. Picture: LinkedIn, Eileen Guo.\

Horizon claimed about $100 million for NDIS services over the past two financial years, according to its financial statements.

The scale of its debts are unknown. But according to its auditor, the company owes nearly $10 million to the Australian Taxation Office.

And Horizon’s most recent financial statement also lists about $8m in outstanding loans.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission revealed it was permanently banning Horizon, which trades as Cocoon.

The commission said its decision followed a detailed investigation that uncovered serious and systemic misconduct, including improper and false service claims for participants who were deceased or incarcerated, and unlawful breaches of participant privacy.

Commissioner Louise Glanville said “Horizon has grossly violated the trust placed in them by participants, families and frontline staff – this was nothing less than callous and deliberate abuse of a system designed to support dignity, independence and fairness for people with disability.”

NDIS firm Cocoon SDA Care’s co-founder Zaffar Khan.

Ex-bankrupt, Mr Khan, on Thursday said that “despite undergoing and passing multiple independent audits ... and maintaining a strong record of operational transparency, Cocoon SDA Care was abruptly removed from the sector.

“The company believes this was not the result of operational failure, but the outcome of sustained and targeted regulatory action,” Mr Khan said.

“The Federal Court of Australia, in its published decision dated 20 May 2025, explicitly confirmed ... that there is no proven finding of fraud or non-compliance against Cocoon SDA Care.

“We extend our deepest sympathy and gratitude to our dedicated staff, our participants, and their families. We know this outcome is heartbreaking and distressing. Please know that your trust, your support, and your shared journey with us will never be forgotten,” Mr Khan said.

The collapse of Horizon and the Cocoon brand has had serious consequences for vulnerable clients. Hundreds have had to find new providers. Many have had to leave their homes, which were run by Cocoon.

The failure has the potential to undermine the willingness of investors to put money into specialist disability accommodation. Cocoon convinced investors across Australia, Asia and the Middle East to invest in homes for the severely disabled, trumpeting returns of 15 per cent or more.

Originally published as Horizon SolSolutions calls in liquidators after being permanently banned from NDIS scheme