We received the following UPDATE from Mr Wakim's legal representative on 4 September 2023:
Subsequent to the publication of this article, 13 of the charges against Mr Wakim were dropped by police including the charges relating to fraud and demand with menaces.
The three remaining charges were dismissed by a NSW Magistrate on mental health grounds.
The charges alleging links between Mr Wakim and an outlaw motorcycle gang were dropped by police and were never found by a court or tribunal to be true.
Fair Trading
Luxury car dealer Galleria SUV Pty Ltd has had its Motor Dealer's Licence permanently disqualified by NSW Fair Trading after serious charges were brought against its sole Director by NSW Police.
According to documents provided by NSW Police, Mr Simon Wakim the sole director of Galleria SUV Pty Ltd was charged with several serious offences that involved him allegedly:
- Obtaining financial advantage and causing a financial disadvantage by deception totalling $950,000
- Threatening the lives of individuals and their families
- Demanding with the assistance of members of an outlaw motorcycle gang that motor vehicles be removed from the Personal Property Securities Register
Following an investigation by NSW Police, the Disciplinary Action Unit made the decision to cancel Galleria SUV's Motor Dealer's licence and permanently disqualify it from being a licence holder or involved in the direction, management or conduct of a business.
NSW Fair Trading Investigations and Enforcement Executive Director Valerie Griswold said the seriousness of Mr Wakim's charges resulted in the department's swift and severe action.
"This is only the fourth time in the past three years that the Disciplinary Action Unit has permanently cancelled a Motor Dealer Licence, so that should communicate how seriously we consider these charges to be," Ms Griswold said.
"We make these decisions based on whether or not a person or director is deemed fit and proper to hold a licence, and based on the allegations made by NSW Police, Mr Wakim was deemed to be not fit and proper.
"A motor dealer is a public facing occupation and our job at NSW Fair Trading is to protect consumers."
Consumers are urged to use NSW Fair Trading's licence check tool for free online before committing to a business transaction. Check for motor dealers at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/check-motor-dealers-licence
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