Self-employed builder, Mr Todd Buzza of Vermont South, Victoria, appeared before Magistrate Crowe in the Ringwood Magistrates Court on 6 December 2012 for offences under the Bankruptcy Act 1966.
In February 2009, the Smart Bathrooms and Superfinish Plaster builder, was made bankrupt but continued to trade without advising some customers he was an undischarged bankrupt.
“By law, undischarged bankrupts who are in business must advise all those they deal with that they are bankrupt,” Mr Adam Toma, National Manager of ITSA’s Regulation and Enforcement business line, said.
“The obligation to inform other parties of a bankrupt’s status allows those parties to make informed decisions when dealing with that bankrupt.”
Mr Buzza was charged with obtaining the amount of $8,650 from a person by promising to supply goods or services without informing the person he was bankrupt.
He was also charged with carrying on a business under a firm name without disclosing to every person with whom he dealt that he was an undischarged bankrupt.
The charges were proven and he was discharged without conviction on his own recognizance in the sum of $3,000 to be of good behaviour for one year.
In sentencing, Magistrate Crowe stated that even though the offending was serious she had taken into account his early plea, his remorse and his significant community involvement.
In relation to Mr Buzza’s conviction, ITSA Chief Executive and Inspector-General in Bankruptcy, Ms Veronique Ingram said that Australia has a highly effective personal insolvency system.
“It’s important that Australians are confident in a system that is transparent, fair and strong,” she said.
