Deloitte director ordered to repay $3M in case of ‘remarkable fraud’
Accounting 2022-04-20 4:06 pm By Christine Caulfield | Melbourne

A former Deloitte director accused of embezzling $3.1 million has agreed to court orders that he repay the money and hand over title to all assets — including almost 100 works of art — purchased with the alleged misappropriated funds.

The Federal Court on Tuesday issued orders against Melbourne-based Paul Quill, who will be subject to existing freezing orders on his property until Deloitte is repaid in full with interest. The agreement means the parties avoid a trial.

Quill, who was responsible for managing the administration of insolvent companies, is accused of falsifying $3 million in expenses to amass an impressive collection of artworks, including pieces by photographer Fred Herzog and ceramic artist Pippin Drysdale. Quill also used the funds to purchase high-end furniture, rugs and ceramics, among other items, according to court documents.

Justice Michael Lee has ordered Quill to photograph all items in his possession allegedly purchased using Deloitte funds and voluntarily surrender the assets to the firm by May 13. The proceeds of Deloitte’s sale of the assets will go towards payment of the judgment in its favour.

As part of the orders, Quill can sell his Alfa Romeo vehicle and hand over the net proceeds to Deloitte to satisfy a portion of the judgment.

“If the net sales proceeds are insufficient to satisfy the judgment and interest in full, [Quill] must pay the balance of the judgment and interest within 28 days of notice by the applicants’ solicitors to the respondent’s solicitors,” Justice Lee’s orders say.

Deloitte can take enforcement action against Quill if he fails to pay up.

Law firm Maddocks, which represents Quill, declined to comment on the orders. Lawyerly has contacted Deloitte for comment.

Deloitte secured freezing orders on Quill’s assets and bank accounts earlier this month after detailing what Justice Lee described as an alleged “remarkable fraud”.

Exceptions to the freezing orders are payment of $1,800 a week for ordinary living expenses and $15,000 a month for his lawyers.

Counsel for Deloitte Farid Assaf SC told the judge last week the firm would reimburse any affected clients and had notified the Australian Securities and Investments Commission that Quill was under investigation.
ASIC has declined to comment on whether it had launched its own investigation.
Justice Lee indicated the alleged misconduct was long running. According to his LinkedIn profile, Quill joined Deloitte in February 2016.
“It is a remarkable fraud if in truth it is a fraud…given the extent of the figures,” Justice Lee said, questioning why it appeared “no one was looking at what was going on”.“It is a bit disturbing if what in truth has happened was that no one was looking at this,” he said.
Assaf said Justice Lee’s reaction was “perfectly understandable”. He said Deloitte’s expenses system was designed to be used by professionals and was based on trust.

A spokesperson for Deloitte confirmed to Lawyerly last week its investigation continued.

“Should any clients be impacted they will be fully reimbursed,” the spokesperson said.

As of last week, Quill had not instructed his lawyers to prepare a defence to the allegations.

Barrister for Quill Neha Evans aid the parties had been engaged in “meaningful discussions” in aid of settling the case.

“We are optimistic the matter might resolve,” she said.

Deloitte is represented by Farid Assaf SC, instructed by Johnson Winter & Slattery. Quill is represented by Neha Evans, instructed by Maddocks.

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