Robert M Blanshard | CPA Australia

Member’s name: Mr Robert M Blanshard
Date of Hearing: 8 December 2011
Division: New South Wales
Tribunal: Disciplinary Tribunal

On 8 December 2011 the Disciplinary Tribunal found Mr Robert Blanshard breached:

Clause 27(1 )(f) of the former Constitution in that on 27 March 2009 he was declared bankrupt.
Article 39(a)(ii)G of the Constitution in that he "pleaded guilty to, or been found guilty of... any offence (criminal or otherwise ... before any Court in anyjurisdiction (which, in the case of a finding or conviction has not been overturned on appeal) which in the reasonable opinion of the Board is likely to materially adversely reflect upon or affect the standing or reputation of the Company”, in respect of being found guilty in the District Court at Sydney on 19 August 2011 of seven counts of breaching section 178A of the Crimes Act 7900 (NSW).

The District Court found that from 1998 to 2008 Mr Blanshard had stolen in excess of $4 million from clients and his former employer.

Mr Blanshard was convicted of the offences and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of six years commencing 5 August 2011 with a non-parole period of two years expiring 4 August 2013.

At the Disciplinary Tribunal Hearing, Mr Blanshard admitted the Complaints brought against him.

Penalties and costs

The Disciplinary Tribunal imposed the following penalties and costs:

Forfeiture of Membership.
That Mr Blanshard not be allowed to make application for readmission to Membership for a period of 15 years.

In the circumstances the Disciplinary Tribunal waived CPA Australia’s costs of $470.