A western Sydney company director has been convicted after admitting he authorised a false statement to the corporate regulator to deregister his gym business despite outstanding debts.
Mt Druitt Local Court heard that Jye Dilin Menzies-Clifton, of Minchinbury, pleaded guilty on 28 May 2025 to one count of authorising the making of a false statement in a document lodged with ASIC, contrary to section 1308(1) of the Corporations Act. He was convicted on 29 August 2025 and released without passing sentence upon entering into a 12-month good behaviour bond.
At the time of the offence, Menzies-Clifton was the director of Strong and Co Australia Pty Ltd, which operated a Sydney gym. The charge related to a form lodged on 20 November 2021 to deregister the company, declaring it had no outstanding liabilities. The court was told he knew that was false, with the company owing $58,186.55 to the Australian Taxation Office and $14,190 in lease arrears to the gym’s landlord.
The matter was prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP). At the first mention on 27 November 2024, the parties consented to summary jurisdiction.
Companies seeking voluntary deregistration with ASIC must meet strict criteria, including having no outstanding liabilities, not being involved in legal proceedings, ceasing business activity, and holding assets of less than $1,000.
