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Scott Pendlebury has issued a $3million lawsuit against his former financial advisor and friend, Jason Sourasis.
According to court documents obtained by this masthead, the former Collingwood captain, who recently signed a contract extension to stay at Collingwood for another season, filed a writ and statement of claim to the Supreme Court, alleging that Sourasis embezzled more than $2.1m from his investment accounts over the course of 10 years.
A writ and statement of claim was filed on Friday and states that Pendlebury became aware that $2,148,900 had been transferred out of his account by Mr Sourasis in February of this year.
The document adds that Pendlebury believes that the money was ‘improperly withdrawn’ and that he neither had knowledge nor consented to the removal of the funds.
The 37-year-old is also claiming, per the document, that he had loaned Sourasis, the founder of the Strategic Financial Planning Group, $300,000, which was never repaid.
Pendlebury alleges that he and Sourasis had agreed that the financial advisor would pay the funds back within a day. The following day the Collingwood player demanded the loan be repaid, but the loan was not fulfilled.
Scott Pendlebury (left) has filed a $3million lawsuit against his former financial advisor Jason Sourasis (right)
According to court documents, the former Collingwood captain, who signed on for another season at Collingwood earlier this year, has alleged that Sourasis embezzled more than $2.1m from his investment accounts over the course of 10 years
Some days later, the writ and statement of claim adds that the pair had subsequently agreed a deal that the businessman would have between six months and a year to repay the Magpies midfielder, on the condition that he would pay him 50 per cent in interest.
However, the statement of claim states that the money and interest has allegedly never been returned.
Pendlebury is looking for the money that he alleges was taken from his account to be returned, as well as the repayment of the $300,000 loan, plus interest and damages.
Sourasis has denied the allegations against him.
‘The allegations are vehemently denied and, as a legal process has been started, we can’t make any further comments at this stage,’ he told ABC Sport.
Daily Mail has contacted Pendlebury’s agents and legal advisors for comment.
The former player agent, businessman and executive chairman of the Western Melbourne Group and a majority owner of the embattled A-League side Western United had been working as Pendlebury’s financial adviser since 2013.
It is understood that he held access to the Collingwood player’s bank account on a retainer agreement.
Sourasis (pictured) is the majority owner of Western United FC and had been working as Pendlebury’s financial adviser since 2013. The pair are also understood to be good friends
Pendlebury (pictured) is also understood to have loaned Sourasis $300,000, which is yet to be paid back
Pendlebury has subsequently sacked Sourasis.
The writ and statement of claim adds that over 50 transactions from the Magpies stalwart’s investment account took place between January 2015 and December 2023.
The documents allege that the funds were sent to accounts associated with Sourasis and that transfers of between $5,000 and $305,000 were made.
They related to accounts that were linked to Sourasis’ Western Melbourne Group.
