URGENT UPDATE: AFL champion Scott Pendlebury has initiated legal action against his former manager Jason Sourasis, alleging the misappropriation of over $2.1 million from his accounts. The claim was filed in the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday, with documents revealing shocking details of the alleged misconduct.
According to the court filings, Pendlebury asserts that between January 2015 and December 2023, Sourasis improperly transferred a staggering $2,148,900 from Pendlebury’s investment account to his personal accounts. The legal documents detail more than 50 transactions, with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $305,000, all conducted without Pendlebury’s consent or in his interest.
Pendlebury only discovered the missing funds in February 2024, prompting him to take swift legal action. He claims that Sourasis has not only failed to repay the misappropriated amounts but has also defaulted on a separate loan Pendlebury extended on March 15, 2023. Initially, Pendlebury expected repayment the following day, but a change in agreement on March 22 extended the timeline to six to twelve months, including interest. According to the documents, Sourasis has not honored this agreement either.
The Collingwood midfielder is demanding the return of the full amount of $2,148,900, along with interest, and restitution for any traceable proceeds from the alleged misappropriation. He is also seeking repayment of the $300,000 loan with an exorbitant interest rate of 50 percent per year from March 22, 2023.
Pendlebury, a pivotal player for the Collingwood Football Club with 425 games under his belt, including premierships in 2010 and 2023, has suffered significant emotional and financial distress as a result of these actions. The community is rallying around him as details of this scandal unfold.
Officials and sources close to the situation have reached out to Sourasis, Pendlebury’s manager, and legal representatives for comments, but responses have yet to surface. With such heavy allegations and substantial amounts involved, this case is poised to attract widespread attention as it develops.
As the legal proceedings commence, all eyes will be on the Victorian Supreme Court to see how this high-stakes drama unfolds. Stay tuned for updates on this compelling story that impacts not only Pendlebury’s career but the integrity of sports management practices.
