Real estate agent representative who stole nearly $15,000 from tenants banned for seven years

A young Victorian man has been declared ineligible to hold a licence or act as an agent’s representative for seven years after stealing $14,753 in rent and bond money.

James-Paul Moularas, 23, stole the money from the tenants of five properties in Travancore, Brunswick, Brunswick East, St Kilda East and Preston.

Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal senior member Robert Davis found that between 11 October and 15 November 2012, Moularas had fraudulently failed to account for, deliver or pay money had received or held as an agent’s representative. He also failed to promptly pay all money he had received in his role to his employer or its specified trust account. The tribunal heard that Moularas had not acted fairly or honestly in relation to his duties as an agent.

Davis said there was “no doubt in his mind” that Moularas’ conduct would be considered unprofessional.

In November 2012, Moularas confessed that he stole the money to his employer, Secure Invest Property Group Pty Ltd, owned by his uncle. His uncle and parents repaid the money that he stole for his own use.

Moularas, who is originally from Adelaide, will be ineligible to hold a licence until 30 April 2021. Davis considered banning Moularas permanently but decided that a seven year ban was appropriate given that this was his first known offence. Moularas did not appear at his tribunal hearing.