Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 9 August 2006

Car salesman fined for false criminal conviction declaration (Gabbrielle Georgio D’ANNUNZIO) 

Gabbrielle Georgio D’Annunzio of Kardinya has been fined $500 with $500 costs in the Fremantle Magistrates Court for misrepresenting himself as having no criminal convictions, when in fact he had a conviction for theft and had been fined $750 in 2002 for the offence.

Magistrate Michelides declined an application to have a spent conviction recorded noting that a conviction was necessary to serve as a deterrent and a spent conviction would trivialize the offence. 

When applying for Motor Vehicle Salespersons or Yard Managers Licences, applicants are required to disclose all convictions or findings of guilt including traffic offences, which were dealt with by a Court.

In August of 2004 Mr.D’Annunzio renewed his Motor Vehicle Salespersons Licence and indicated on the renewal form that he did not have any criminal convictions by ticking the ‘No’ box on the form and leaving the text section on the form blank.

“It is important that only fit and proper persons be approved to act as motor vehicle sales representatives and yard managers, and the vetting undertaken in the application and renewal process protects consumers from just anybody taking up these vocations,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“The Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Regulations make it very clear that it is an offence to make a false declaration on any application and Mr. D’Annunzio has reaped the penalty for his disregard of laws designed to protect the community,” Mr. Walker said.

Mr. D’Annunzio is no longer working in the motor vehicle industry.