NINO DE PARDO

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Full Bench of the WA Supreme Court struck Nino Anthony De Pardo off the Roll of Practitioners following SAT findings that he dishonestly and fraudulently obtained Centrelink pension payments (redirecting his father's pension to his company's account and forging his deceased father's signature), causing losses of over $22,000. The Tribunal expressly found dishonest and fraudulent conduct rendering him not fit and proper to practise. Although his misconduct had a medical origin (chronic depression), the Court found the condition had not been cured, so striking off was inevitable for protective purposes. No order was made as to the costs of the motion, though he had earlier been ordered by the Tribunal to pay its costs.

Duties found breached:

• Proper basis for allegations
• No improper use of client money

Aggravating factors:

• Continuing series of acts of dishonesty over nearly two years
• Conduct only ceased when Centrelink discovered the fraud
• Conduct involved fraud and forgery, undermining trust and confidence in the profession

Mitigating factors:

• Suffered from chronic depression affecting cognition and judgement, aggravated by deaths of his parents
• Remorse, shame and acceptance of responsibility
• Did not oppose the strike-off order and consented to proceedings
• Had not practised for years and unlikely to ever practise again