Listen, all y’all, it’s a sabotage.
An Australian real estate company found itself back against the wall as a result of the alleged actions of a former employee, news.com.au reported. While the staffer has denied the allegations, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal — perhaps drawing inspiration from the Beastie Boys — canceled his real estate license.
The incident that led to a yearslong drama allegedly took place in December 2017. Roger Agha, then of Devine Agency, allegedly changed the contact numbers of more than 900 clients in the company’s books by a single digit. Agha then took clients to his new employer, Belle Property, according to legal rulings.
This all allegedly happened after Agha’s boss at Devine, Steven Devine, informed Agha that he would not be paid out for his shares unless he agreed to a three-year trade restraint.
“He was of the view that he should not be under any restraint until he was paid out for his shares,” court documents stated.
In 2019, the NSW Supreme Court determined Agha engaged in “systematic and repeated sabotage.” Last week, the tribunal said it couldn’t determine if Agha changed the data, but was still canceling his real estate license because the agent admitted to taking clients from Devine to Belle, supposedly using confidential information to do so.
Devine told the publication that, while the tribunal’s decision was vindicating, the case has come at a massive cost.
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“[The case] has been a major catalyst in me exiting a family business that had existed for over seven decades as well having to sell our family home and other assets to fund the legal costs associated with this case,” Devine said.
Agha is planning to appeal the cancellation of his real estate license. The next court date in the case is scheduled for Oct. 21.