Instagram bikini model and her businessman boyfriend are being sued for alleged $2.7 million money laundering
- A glamor couple from Melbourne risks jail
- Natalie Turnour and Stavro D’Amore in ASIC probe
- They are suspected of money laundering
An Instagram bikini model and her high-flying businessman boyfriend have faced trial over an alleged $27.5 million money laundering scheme.
Natalie Turnour and Stavro D’Amore, who became engaged following a marriage proposal in Dubai in March, appeared via video link at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday after being charged in October.
The glamorous Melbourne couple could face up to 12 years in prison following an investigation by the Australian Federal Police.
According to court documents, Mr D’Amore, 40, and Ms Turnour, 27, allegedly “committed conduct relating to money which was the proceeds of general crime”, the Announce sun reported.
The couple allegedly “hid or disguised the source of the money,” the court heard.
Natalie Turnour and Stavro D’Amore, who got engaged after proposing marriage in Dubai in March, could face up to 12 years in prison for alleged money laundering
Ms Turnour is facing two counts of reckless dealing in the proceeds of crime
Mr D’Amore faced five charges, including two involving transactions of more than $1.2 million each just four days apart in April 2021.
They both faced a count of reckless dealing in proceeds of crime on April 6, 2021 in Sydney involving an amount of $196,750.
Ms. Turnour, a mother of three young children, bodybuilder and fitness trainer, also faced a second $7,500 indictment on the same day.
The allegations come after Mr D’Amore’s former company, Berndale Capital Securities, collapsed in 2019, owing millions to investors.
Months earlier, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission had revoked Berndale’s Australian financial services license and banned D’Amore from providing financial services for six years.
At the time, Mr. D’Amore was estimated to have a net worth of $14.5 million and a luxury car collection that included Porsches, Ferraris, and an orange Ventura McLaren supercar.
But Mr. D’Amore was not charged with a criminal offense and denied any wrongdoing for the failed company.
Neither Ms Turnour nor Mr D’Amore have entered a plea and they will return to court on May 23
Defense attorney Steve Parker was granted a one-month adjournment after telling the judge that more time was needed.
“It’s quite a deep case – it would take me a week to recover,” he told the court.
Neither Mrs. Turnour nor Mr. D’Amore entered a plea.
They will return to court on May 23.
