Hotshot lawyer accused of stealing $10M from clients to fund a gambling addiction spent his last $10 on a McDonald's meal - only to have $160,000 transferred to his account later that day

  • Brody Clarke, a Sydney lawyer, has been accused of siphoning almost $10million
  • He allegedly used his role at Atanaskovic Hartnell to feed his gambling addiction
  • The 35-year-old is now being sued by companies Birketu and WIN Corporation
  • Mr Clarke reported himself to the NSW Fraud Squad in September last year

A young, successful lawyer has been accused of siphoning almost $10million from two companies to feed his gambling addiction.

Brody Clarke used his role at Sydney law firm Atanaskovic Hartnell to allegedly transfer large chunks of money into his personal account from billionaire Bruce Gordon's companies Birketu and WIN Corporation, the NSW Supreme Court heard last week.

The 35-year-old is now being sued by both companies, who are demanding their money back, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Brody Clarke (pictured, a lawyer who used to work for at Sydney law firm Atanaskovic Hartnell, has been accused of siphoning almost $10million from two companies to feed his gambling addiction

Brody Clarke (pictured, a lawyer who used to work for at Sydney law firm Atanaskovic Hartnell, has been accused of siphoning almost $10million from two companies to feed his gambling addiction

Mr Clarke, who reported himself to police, is also facing eight charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception for the amount of $9.75million.

The lawyer is accused of depositing $570,500 from Birketu into his personal Westpac account in June 2016 and allegedly moving $360,000 to the same account in August from the Win Corporation, the publication reported.

But it was the 35-year-old's alleged transfer in September 16, 2016, that has raised eyebrows.

Mr Clarke's bank statements show he had just $18 left in his account after spending $10 on a meal at McDonald's. By the end of the day, he had a balance of more than $160,000, following an alleged transfer from the WIN Corporation.

Soon after, the lawyer, who lived in an apartment in Woolloomooloo, allegedly paid $159,000 to Sportsbet, the publication reported.

In August and September last year, Mr Clarke allegedly shifted $7 million from Birketu into his account.

The 35-year-old (pictured) allegedly used his role to transfer large chunks of money into his personal account from billionaire Bruce Gordon's companies Birketu and WIN Corporation, the NSW Supreme Court heard last week

The 35-year-old (pictured) allegedly used his role to transfer large chunks of money into his personal account from billionaire Bruce Gordon's companies Birketu and WIN Corporation, the NSW Supreme Court heard last week

The 35-year-old is now being sued by both companies, who are demanding their money back. Mr Clarke, who reported himself top police, is also facing eight charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception for the amount of $9.75million (stock image)

The 35-year-old is now being sued by both companies, who are demanding their money back. Mr Clarke, who reported himself top police, is also facing eight charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception for the amount of $9.75million (stock image)

The two companies have claimed the 35-year-old told said the money was necessary for expenditures like land tax, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.  

Mr Clarke was fired from the boutique law firm on September 28 after he told them that he had approached the NSW fraud squad. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Atanaskovic Hartnell. 

The day after, the Supreme Court froze Mr Clarke's account but allowed him to withdraw $100 a day.

The payments were stopped in December, prompting Mr Clarke to ask the Supreme Court on Friday to allow him access once again so he can pay for his living expenses.

Justice Peter Garling reserved his judgement, according to the publication. 

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