- NSW real estate agent Adele Woods has been banned from the industry
- Pleaded guilty to stealing from clients on 50 separate occasions
- Ms Woods holds the right to appeal
Real estate agent Adele Woods has been banned from the industry for life and ordered by the court to pay $75,000 in compensation after pleading guilty to stealing from clients.
During her time as a senior property manager at Tucker’s Real Estate in Mollymook, New South Wales, Ms Woods illegally transferred money from the company’s trust account into her personal bank account.
In an attempt to cover her tracks, Ms Woods made false entries into the company’s books.
She transferred funds on 50 separate occasions between December 2016 and April 2019.
The illegal activity was first investigated by NSW Fair Trading following a complaint about Ms Woods by the licensee of Tucker Real Estate.
This prompted the prosecution by NSW Police.
NSW Fair Trading Executive Director of Investigations and Enforcement Valerie Griswold said Ms Wood’s illegal activity brought significant hurt and suffering to those involved.
“The defendant betrayed the trust of her clients by stealing from them.”
Valerie Griswold, NSW Fair Trading Executive Director
“While Tuckers Real Estate was not involved in the fraud, the company suffered significant losses in the period after it was uncovered.
“As a consequence, the company was forced to rebrand to continue operating.”
In addition to paying compensation and being banned from her industry, Ms Woods has been ordered to complete 300 hours of community service and placed on a three-year good behaviour bond.
Ms Woods holds the right to appeal the sentence she was handed at Sydney Downing Centre Local Court in September.
