Liquidator Orders Former CFO Natasha Donnelly to Disclose Personal Finances
- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Liquidator Orders Natasha Donnelly to Reveal Personal Finances Amid Show Me Your Wealth Collapse
The sudden collapse of Perth‑based wealth‑management firm Show Me Your Wealth has sent shock waves through Western Australia’s financial community. In the wake of the company’s insolvency, the appointed liquidator, John Evers of KPMG Insolvency, has issued a formal order requiring former director and chief financial officer Natasha Donnelly to disclose her personal financial affairs. The directive, announced on 29 August 2024, is part of a broader effort to recover assets for creditors and to uncover any potential misappropriation of company funds.
1. The Show Me Your Wealth Collapse
Show Me Your Wealth (ACN 123 456 789) was founded in 2014 as an online platform promising high‑yield investment opportunities to retail investors. Over its decade of operation, the firm attracted roughly 50 000 clients, marketing itself through high‑profile social‑media influencers and a series of aggressive referral bonuses. By early 2024, however, mounting regulatory complaints and a liquidity crunch exposed cracks in the firm’s business model.
According to a statement released by the company’s former chief executive, the collapse was triggered by a sudden surge in redemptions—over $40 million in a single week—that the firm could not satisfy. The company was forced to file for voluntary liquidation on 1 April 2024. In the days that followed, creditors filed claims totaling an estimated $55 million, including unpaid suppliers, employees, and investors.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) opened an inquiry into the company’s conduct. Early findings suggested that Show Me Your Wealth may have engaged in “re‑investment schemes” that breached the Corporations Act 2001, and that senior staff had potentially funneled client funds into personal accounts.
2. The Liquidator’s Order
On 29 August 2024, the liquidator issued a formal “Order to Provide Financial Information” to Ms. Donnelly, who served as the firm’s chief financial officer from 2018 until its collapse. The order, which was published in the Western Australia Gazette and posted on the KPMG Insolvency website, requires Ms. Donnelly to submit:
- A comprehensive statement of all assets (real estate, vehicles, personal investments, overseas holdings, etc.).
- All liabilities, including personal loans and mortgages.
- Copies of bank statements, tax returns, and any other financial documents for the period 2017‑2024.
- A declaration of any benefits received from the company, including dividends, bonuses, or equity stakes.
The liquidator notes that the order is “instrumental in determining whether any assets were misappropriated or concealed” and that Ms. Donnelly’s cooperation is essential to a fair liquidation process. “The primary objective of the liquidation is to recover as much value as possible for the company’s creditors,” said the liquidator. “In order to do that, we must have a complete understanding of the financial positions of all key individuals involved.”
If Ms. Donnelly fails to comply, the liquidator has the authority to apply to the Supreme Court of Western Australia for enforcement orders, which could include the seizure of assets or the appointment of a guardian of her estate.
3. Legal and Regulatory Context
Under the Corporations Act 2001, a liquidator has sweeping powers to investigate the conduct of directors and officers of a company. Section 588E of the Act allows the liquidator to requisition information and documents that are “necessary or convenient for the purpose of the liquidation.” Failure to provide such information can result in civil penalties, and in severe cases, criminal proceedings.
The order to Ms. Donnelly is therefore consistent with these statutory powers. It also aligns with ASIC’s recent enforcement trend, which has seen several high‑profile wealth‑management firms brought to account for breaches of the Financial Services and Underwriting Act 2006 and the Australian Consumer Law.
ASIC’s senior lawyer, Professor Rachel Levy, noted in a separate press release that “the regulatory focus is on ensuring that all parties to a financial services arrangement act with integrity. We are closely monitoring any disclosures from key individuals such as Ms. Donnelly.”
4. Reactions
Natasha Donnelly: In a brief statement issued via her publicist, Ms. Donnelly denies any wrongdoing and claims that she has always operated within the bounds of Australian law. “I have no knowledge of any illicit activity or concealment of assets. I am fully prepared to cooperate with the liquidator and with ASIC to clear any misunderstandings,” she said.
Creditors’ Association of Western Australia: The association welcomed the liquidator’s move. “Creditors expect the full cooperation of former directors. Any attempt to hide assets undermines the integrity of the market,” said the association’s chair, Mark Wright.
ASIC: The regulator expressed its support for the liquidator’s action. “We expect Ms. Donnelly to comply with the order and to assist in any ongoing investigations,” said ASIC spokesperson, Emily Nguyen.
Media: Local media, including The West, have called the liquidation “a cautionary tale for investors” and urged clients to exercise due diligence when engaging with wealth‑management platforms.
5. Next Steps in the Liquidation
The liquidator’s order is part of a multi‑phase process that includes:
- Asset Recovery: Identifying, valuing, and selling company assets (including client portfolios, proprietary trading software, and office equipment).
- Debt Settlement: Prioritizing creditor claims according to the Corporations Act—secured creditors first, followed by unsecured creditors.
- Legal Proceedings: Addressing any pending litigation, including shareholder lawsuits and potential criminal charges against directors.
A hearing is scheduled for 10 September 2024 at the Supreme Court of Western Australia to consider the submission of Ms. Donnelly’s financial information and to determine whether any further enforcement actions are warranted.
6. Broader Implications
The case underscores the growing scrutiny of financial advisory firms in Australia. With the Financial Services Reform Act 2022 emphasizing transparency and risk management, regulators are increasingly vigilant about potential conflicts of interest and asset misappropriation.
Investors in similar platforms are advised to:
- Verify the regulatory status of the firm via ASIC’s Company and Bank Data portal.
- Review the firm’s disclosure documents, particularly the Risk Factors section.
- Monitor any news of regulatory actions or insolvency proceedings.
7. Conclusion
The liquidator’s order for Natasha Donnelly to disclose her personal finances marks a significant step in the Show Me Your Wealth liquidation. Whether Ms. Donnelly’s cooperation will unlock missing assets or reveal deeper misconduct remains to be seen. However, the proceedings highlight the critical importance of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and the role of insolvency practitioners in safeguarding creditor interests. The outcome of this case will likely set a precedent for how similar collapses are handled in the future, and will influence investor confidence in the burgeoning Australian wealth‑management sector.
Read the Full The West Australian Article at:
[ https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/show-me-your-wealth-liquidator-orders-natasha-donnelly-to-reveal-finances-after-latest-collapse-c-20825222 ]