EXCLUSIVE
A former Australian fashion industry star is facing trial in a Balinese court for allegedly abusing two veterinarians after failing to pay for her cat’s treatment.
Jessie White, founder of the collapsed Shakuhachi fashion empire, has been living in Bali since her business spectacularly collapsed, leaving behind a trail of debt.
Little has been seen or heard about White in recent years, but she is now in Denpasar District Court facing charges that could land her in jail.
White is accused of “intentionally attacking the honor or good name” of two veterinarians at the Bali Veterinary Clinic in Bandung, where she had taken her cat Rocket for treatment.
The clinic claims White accepted that Rocket needed to be admitted to the clinic and agreed to pay for the stay, but then attempted to pick up the cat without paying the bill.
“Fuck you,” the 50-year-old woman allegedly told the clinic’s owner, Ni Made Restiati, and a colleague when she was told she couldn’t take Rocket home.
You give it away. You steal my cat. Damn bitch.’
According to the prosecution, those words were “said loudly in a public area” and made both veterinarians feel embarrassed.
Former Australian fashion star Jessie White is facing trial in a Balinese court for allegedly abusing two veterinarians after failing to pay for her cat’s treatment. White (right) is pictured with model and businesswoman Lindy Klim.
White is accused of “intentionally attacking the honor or good name” of two veterinarians at the Bali Veterinary Clinic in Bandung, where she had taken her cat Rocket for treatment. She appears at the clinic.
Prosecutors allege White brought Rocket to the clinic on March 9 last year when the cat was found to be suffering from an infection in his tail and left leg.
White was told that Rocket would need to be admitted for treatment and asked for an initial payment of 1,500,000 rupees, about $150.
The court heard as White accepted the fare which he was unable to pay at the time because his debit card was not working.
However, the clinic agreed to treat Rocket, who had been attacked by a dog, on the condition that White sign an agreement requiring her to pay for the treatment.
On March 16, a week after Rocket was admitted, the clinic contacted White via WhatsApp to inform him that they were keeping his cat in their custody because he had not paid the bill.
White arrived at the clinic’s front desk several hours later and demanded Rocket be returned to him.
Video of a subsequent confrontation obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed White shouting at staff and claiming he needed another day before he could pay.
“I have to borrow the money,” he said in the video. ‘I’ll give it to you tomorrow. Is it okay or not?
When told he couldn’t leave with Rocket unless he paid, White said, “So what are you going to do with my cat?” Okay, I’ll take it.’
Jessie White, founder of the collapsed Shakuhachi fashion empire, has been living in Bali since her business spectacularly collapsed, leaving behind a trail of debt. She appears in the photo with her children.
White then allegedly entered the intensive care unit and wards without permission, looking for Rocket.
The video showed her walking through the hallways as dogs barked and yelled, ‘Where’s my cat? Did you steal my cat?
Staff denied stealing Rocket when White began filming them with his phone.
His rant continued in Bahasa and English.
In a second video, White went on a further tirade and threatened to close the clinic by launching a legal class action lawsuit.
“I love my cat, not like you,” he shouted. ‘You don’t love animals. You give them away… you pretend to be animal caretakers. You are not animal caretakers. You’re bad.’
Prosecutors have highlighted that White allegedly called Dr Made and her colleague Devita Vanessa Sukmawati Djara “fucking bitches”.
Both veterinarians “feel it is an insult to them and the veterinary profession,” according to the indictment.
White, whose occupation in court documents is listed as “investor,” is charged with defamation, perpetration of a minor insult and criminal trespass.
‘Fuck you,’ White allegedly told clinic owner Ni Made Restiati and a colleague when told he couldn’t have Rocket. You give it away. You steal my cat. damn bitch
Neither Made Restiati (above) and her colleague Devita Vanessa Sukmawati Djara ‘feel it’s an insult to them and the veterinary profession’ to allegedly be called ‘damn bitches’.
She has not been detained and has attended a trial that began in November.
Prosecutors have demanded that a panel of judges jail White for three months.
The panel will hear a statement from White’s defense next week, having already received evidence from witnesses, before rendering its verdict.
White can reject the allegations against her or admit wrongdoing and express regret at receiving a lighter sentence if convicted. She has been contacted for comment.
The mother-of-two ran Bali’s once-successful Shakuhachi and has remained there since the business was placed under voluntary administration in May 2015.
Shakuhachi, which was worn by celebrities such as singers Lana Del Rey and Rihanna, collapsed with debts totaling more than $1 million.
Creditors included manufacturers, modeling agencies and Woollahra Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
White appeared to be living a glamorous life in the resort town of Seminyak when Daily Mail Australia last reported on her whereabouts in May 2023.
She had reactivated her Instagram account, sharing photos of herself dressed in designer clothes at beach clubs and bars on the resort island.
Andrew Spring, of forensic accounting firm Jirsch Sutherland, told Daily Mail Australia that at the time it had not been possible to take action against White over the Shakuhachi failure.
“Our investigations identified potential claims against Ms White and a related entity, Emporium Clothing Pty Ltd,” Spring said.
‘Mrs White moved to Bali and the related entity was liquidated. Due to commercial considerations, these claims could not be processed in full.
“We report the results of our investigations to the relevant authorities to consider any applicable action to take against Ms. White.”
Daily Mail Australia understands corporate watchdog ASIC declined to take further action.
Fellow Australian expats White has counted as close friends in Bali include hotelier Cisco Tschurtschenthaler, former Royal House of Melbourne Sally Bloomfield and businesswoman Lindy Klim.
White, originally from the Melbourne bayside suburb of Sandringham, is the half-sister of Cat Empire keyboardist Ollie McGill.
In 2017, A Current Affair reporter Chris Allen tracked down a carefree White and found her relaxing at Bali beach clubs and socializing with friends.
When Allen approached White at a cafe to ask her about Shakuhachi’s disappearance, she He initially smiled at the camera, then left the table and hid in the men’s bathroom upstairs.