A high-flying Sydney conman who duped investors out of more
than $8 million will spend Christmas and New Year behind
bars.
Dimitri de Angelis, 46, was refused bail at a brief
sentencing hearing in the NSW District Court in Sydney today
after pleading guilty in October to 16 fraud charges.
The court had previously been told the former Qantas steward
rented Rolls-Royces, luxury holiday homes and offices to fool
investors into thinking he was a wealthy businessman and that
his recording company Emporium Music was a "foolproof
scheme".
The prosecution said Paris-born de Angelis also photoshopped
himself into pictures with the rich and famous - including
the Pope, former US presidents Bill Clinton and George W
Bush, the Dalai Lama, former Prime Minister John Howard and
businessman Kerry Packer - to create the impression he was
highly successful.
Those stung by de Angelis included Anne Keating, the sister
of former prime minister Paul Keating, Sydney's former deputy
lord mayor Marcelle Hoff, experienced businessmen and
lawyers.
Judge Richard Cogswell refused to continue bail for de
Angelis and ordered he be taken into custody until the matter
resumes on January 21 next year.
Judge Cogswell said it was obvious that de Angelis went about
deceiving a number of people in a systematic and calculating
way.
"I would have some concern about him being at liberty in the
community for any longer," he told the court today.
"In the circumstances I see no reasonable case for continuing
his bail."
Outside court last week, de Angelis admitted he deserved to
go to jail.
"It's a complex situation as we all know but I have to do
time for my crime," he had told reporters.
Dr Angelis showed no emotion as he walked from the public
gallery to the dock to be arrested by the sheriffs.
The matter will return to the District Court on January 21,
2013.
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