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Jean Nassif's Explosive Rant from 'Rehab': "I'm Gonna Hurt Them"

By Yellow Van

Sydney developer Jean Nassif, who is wanted by authorities for alleged financial fraud, has lashed out from abroad, accusing Australian agencies of unfairly targeting him as his property empire crumbles. In an exclusive and fiery interview, Nassif insisted he wasn't running away from his problems, urging unit owners to stay loyal to him, claiming, "I am a man of honour."

The 55-year-old developer, currently facing fraud charges, made sweeping and unfounded allegations of corruption against a range of his adversaries, including the NSW Police, politicians, and building commissioner David Chandler, who has been pursuing Nassif for building defects at his construction sites.

"The police are corrupt. David Chandler is corrupt... Ray Hadley is a dog who screams for them," Nassif declared.

Ray Hadley, the broadcaster who has consistently criticized Nassif on his 2GB Radio show, quickly responded to the developer's comments. "Being called anything derogatory by Jean Nassif is a badge of honour," Hadley retorted. "Wherever he is, I hope they have plenty of straitjackets because he's stark raving mad."

Nassif's construction company, *Toplace Group*, has been engulfed in turmoil since being placed into administration earlier this month. Approximately 20,000 homeowners across 20 buildings in New South Wales, along with numerous frustrated tradespeople and employees, are seeking to recover losses in what has become one of Australia’s largest property collapses.

Although Nassif's last known location was Beirut, Lebanon, he now claims to be in a "rehab center somewhere," refusing to reveal his exact location due to authorities searching for him. "When I get fit from my illnesses and from my rehab, I will face my problems. Never run away from my problems," Nassif asserted.

During the interview, Nassif denied responsibility for the defects at his building sites, blaming structural engineers for the issues. "I will fix every single defect on the face of the planet. I've built 35,000 homes in my 35 years of hard work. No problems. The issue is not mine; it's a structural issue with the engineers. Why do they come after me?"

Administrators are currently untangling a complex web of 75 *Toplace* entities, collectively holding assets and liabilities worth up to $1 billion. Meanwhile, NSW Fair Trading has banned both *Toplace* and Nassif from operating in the state while an ongoing review is conducted. The agency has identified over 40 "serious and potentially serious" defects in *Toplace* buildings.

Building commissioner David Chandler has previously issued orders preventing residents from moving into two *Toplace* developments. Earlier this year, owners of the *Park Grove* apartments in Botany were awarded $4.5 million in compensation for building defects after a lengthy legal battle. Additionally, three other owners' corporations are pursuing legal action against *Toplace* for defects in their properties.

Nassif's troubles escalated earlier this year when he was named a co-accused alongside his daughter, Ashlyn, in an alleged $150 million loan fraud case involving Westpac. While Ashlyn was arrested and charged, NSW Police issued a warrant for Nassif's arrest in June. Nassif denies any wrongdoing and claims that police never attempted to contact him before issuing the warrant. "They say I’m disappearing… claiming I’m on the run and need public assistance to find me. I begged them to call me, but they never did. They’re lying dogs."

Despite his protests, critics such as Ray Hadley have called on Nassif to return to Australia to face the charges. "If he were the courageous man he says he is, he’d come back to assist his daughter in her criminal battle, as well as face his own legal matters," Hadley said.

Nassif and two of his companies are also pursuing a defamation case against Hadley and *Nine*, the parent company of this publication, over broadcasts they claim portrayed Nassif as incompetent and dishonest, advising buyers to avoid doing business with him. *Nine* is vigorously defending the case, but Nassif’s lawyer has indicated her intention to withdraw from representing him.

A spokeswoman for David Chandler highlighted that recent reforms have increased accountability for developers regarding the buildings they construct and the designers, builders, and certifiers they engage. "When developers accept deposits from purchasers and promise to deliver compliant, fit-for-purpose buildings, they are responsible for the outcomes," she said. "They cannot blame contractors when things go wrong."

Nassif has previously attempted to discredit Chandler by falsely accusing him of soliciting a $5 million bribe, a claim that Chandler strongly denies.

Among those impacted by *Toplace's* collapse are residents of the *Vicinity* apartment complex in Canterbury, where emergency structural supports have been installed due to fears of collapse. Patrick Quintal, a 29-year-old IT manager and resident, expressed his outrage at Nassif’s deflections. "He doesn’t sound sorry for what he’s done, just sorry he got caught," Quintal said. "The repair bill for our building is at least $50 million, and it’s us, the owners, who are suffering."

While Nassif continues to evade responsibility, Quintal emphasized that the blame rests squarely on the developer. "It might have been the engineers' fault, but Nassif was the one who hired them, took our money, and kept them on. The responsibility is his."

For the affected homeowners, *Toplace's* collapse has led to financial ruin, while Nassif remains defiant, promising to fight back from afar.