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Former Property Manager Jailed Over $370,000 Fraud

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean MP

Former property manager Mark Anthony Kolodynski has been sentenced to 18-months in jail with a 12-month non-parole period for stealing more than $370,000 from real estate trust accounts.

Mr Kolodynski, of Panania, pleaded guilty in Parramatta Court to taking the funds during his employment as a strata manager and rental property manager.

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean said this is a timely warning to anyone thinking about stealing other people’s hard-earned money.

“If you choose to do the wrong thing, Fair Trading will come after you, and you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Mr Kean said.

“This result reflects the hard work of Fair Trading’s investigators who will continue to pursue dodgy operators to protect the community.”

Fair Trading’s investigation uncovered Mr Kolodynski’s systematic and unlawful conversion of trust money for his personal use.

According to information produced in court, Mr Kolodynski used false descriptions relating to fictitious expenses to cover his illegal activity.

Mr Kolodynski’s bank statements showed regular payments to an account at a well-known betting agency.

He was convicted of taking $129,457.48 from Peeco Pty Ltd, trading as Harcourts Northern Beaches & Northern Strata, and $243,965.30 from Bevans Wollongong.

Both companies have since reimbursed the corporations’ trust accounts at their own expense, to repay the money taken by Mr Kolodynski.

At the time of the hearing, Mr Kolodynski’s real estate certificate had expired. In addition to the prosecution, NSW Fair Trading disqualified him from holding any real estate credentials for 10 years.