Victoria Renee Ingrid Larsen of Aberfoyle Park, SA, has been charged with two counts of exercising power as a director of a company while it was in liquidation and making a false or misleading statement in a document lodged with ASIC.

Ms Larsen was the sole director of Club Culture Pty Ltd ACN 104 943 615 (Club Culture).

On 30 November 2016, Club Culture was wound up in insolvency and a liquidator was appointed to the company.

Following an ASIC investigation, it is alleged that when Club Culture was in liquidation, Ms Larsen, without the permission of the liquidator, filed an originating application in the name of Club Culture in the Federal Court of Australia. It is also alleged that Ms Larsen lodged a form on behalf of Club Culture with ASIC, without the permission of the liquidator.

ASIC also alleges that Ms Larsen lodged an application to register a business name with ASIC on behalf of Club Culture. It is alleged she knowingly made a false or misleading statement by falsely declaring that the information on the form was complete and accurate and that she was authorised to make the application on behalf of Club Culture. ASIC alleges that information was false or misleading because Ms Larsen did not have the permission from the liquidator to lodge the form to register a business name on behalf of Club Culture.

Ms Larsen appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 18 June 2021. The matter was adjourned for a pre-trial conference on 12 August 2021 at the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

The matter is being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

Background

Ms Larsen has been charged with contravening:

• s471A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). At the time of the conduct, a contravention of s471A attracted a maximum penalty of 25 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both;
• s198G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). At the time of the conduct, a contravention of s198G attracted a maximum penalty of 25 penalty units; and
• s1308(2) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). At the time of the conduct, a contravention of s1308(2) attracted a maximum penalty of 200 penalty units or imprisonment for five years, or both.

Editor's note:

On 12 August 2021, Ms Larsen failed to attend the Adelaide Magistrates Court. The next court date is yet to be set.

Editor's note 2:

On 24 September 2021, Ms Larsen appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court. The matter was adjourned for a pre-trial conference on 19 November 2021 at the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Editor's note 3:

On 19 November 2021, Ms Larsen appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court. The matter was set down for a summary hearing on 8 February 2022 at the Adelaide Magistrates' Court.

Editor's note 4:

The summary hearing date of 8 February 2022 has been vacated. This matter is now listed for a status conference on 27 January 2022 at the Adelaide Magistrates' Court.

Editor's note 5:

On 27 January 2022, a status conference took place. Ms Larsen failed to attend the Adelaide Magistrates’ Court. The matter is next listed for 14 April 2022 in the Adelaide Magistrates’ Court.

Editor's note 6: 

On 14 April 2022, Ms Larsen appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court. The matter was adjourned to 7 July 2022 at the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Editor's note 7:

On 7 July 2022, Ms Larsen appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court. The matter was set down for a trial on 31 October 2022 at the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Editor's note 8:

The CDPP withdrew all charges against Ms Larsen during a hearing at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 26 August 2022 (22-253MR).