‘Slippery Sam’ accused of taking orphaned sisters’ inheritance
A disgraced lawyer already accused of ripping off small businesses is now facing fresh allegations from two young sisters who claim he took more than $300,000 their late father spent a lifetime earning.
Charlie, 21, and Ruby, 18, lost both of their parents within seven months of each other.
Charlie, 21, and Ruby, 18, lost both of their parents.They say they turned to Melbourne lawyer Sam Monkivitch for help accessing their father’s superannuation. Nine
They say they turned to Melbourne lawyer Sam Monkivitch for help accessing their father’s superannuation, trusting him after he was recommended by a close family friend.
“He was lovely, charming,” Charlie said. “That’s what fools you,” Ruby added.
The sisters say Monkivitch suggested setting up a trust and a bank account where their father’s superannuation was deposited, telling them the money would be invested safely on their behalf.
Instead, they allege the account that once held $319,000 now contains just 20 cents.
“It was a lot of legal mumbo jumbo that I didn’t understand,” Charlie said. “I wholeheartedly trusted him.”
For months, Charlie says Monkivitch insisted the money was tied up in an offshore investment.
“It was just always excuse after excuse after excuse,” she said.
After learning Monkivitch had been jailed in Hong Kong, Charlie says she went through the bank statements herself.
She alleges they show repeated transfers from their account into Monkivitch’s personal bank account, along with payments labelled “legal fees”, “investments” and “miscellaneous”.
The allegations come just days after A Current Affair confronted Monkivitch over claims he failed to pay several small businesses Nine
“I’ve asked him for a detailed account of where the money went and why,” Charlie said.
“Where are the investments? They should be in my name.”
The allegations come just days after A Current Affair confronted Monkivitch over claims he failed to pay several small businesses, including a Melbourne hairdresser.
Returning to his Melbourne home this week, A Current Affair again asked Monkivitch where Charlie and Ruby’s money was.
He did not answer the door.
Monkivitch denies taking the sisters’ inheritance and says he believes he is the victim of a character assassination campaign.
Monkivitch denies taking the sisters’ inheritance and says he believes he is the victim of a character assassination campaign. Nine
Charlie says the matter has been reported to police.
For the sisters, they say this isn’t just about recovering the money, it’s about protecting the legacy their parents left behind.
“I want to get justice for Ruby and my money, and for the money that my dad worked so hard for his whole life,” Charlie said.
We’d love to hear from you
Most viewed in A Current Affair
Ally Langdon breaks down as she opens up about death of best friend Gavin Larkin
Multi-aliased former bankrupt accused of ripping half a million dollars off unsuspecting businesses
Young girl victim of savage attack on bus
Talia and Ebony were physically abused by their mother. Then she was made into a TV star
