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The former Collingwood captain filed paperwork in the Victorian Supreme Court last Friday, claiming he is owed $2,448,900 plus interest from Jason Sourasis. Mr Sourasis was Mr Pendlebury’s longstanding friend and AFL agent, with court documents alleging Mr Sourasis was engaged to provide financial services between 2013 and 2025 through his business Strategic Financial Planning. The statement of claim, released by the court, alleges the two-time premiership player became aware of a series of “improperly withdrawn” amounts from his company S Pendlebury Investment Co in February 2025. Between January 2015 and December 2023, $2.14m was allegedly transferred into accounts associated with Mr Sourasis “without the knowledge or consent of Mr Pendlebury” over more than 50 transfers. It’s alleged the transfers were not disclosed by Mr Sourasis and “made seeking to derive an unauthorised profit or benefit”. “In the circumstances, and in breach of the fiduciary duties, each of Mr Sourasis and Strategic Financial Planning misappropriated the Macquarie Funds,” it’s alleged. The statement of claim further alleges Mr Pendlebury loaned Mr Sourasis $300,000 on or about March 15, 2023, for a single day “due to issues in his own bank account”. “Mr Sourasis told Mr Pendlebury that he required the loan due to an issue with his own bank account, and that he would pay the money back the next day,” it is alleged. About seven days later, it’s alleged Mr Sourasis proposed, and Mr Pendlebury accepted, that he would pay back the loan in six to 12 months with 50 per cent interest. Mr Sourasis allegedly failed to pay the loan or any interest. According to the document, Mr Pendlebury is seeking the return of the funds plus interest and any profits generated by the funds. In a statement to the Herald Sun, Mr Sourasis said he “vehemently denied the claims” and would defend them in court. A well-known sports and business identity, Mr Sourasis has faced a range of financial headaches this year after A-League club, Western United, where he serves as executive chairman, was placed into liquidation following alleged tax debts. In September, the club received a Federal Court stay order placing its corporate owners into liquidation pending mediation with the tax office. Western United had been placed into hibernation and would not compete in the coming A-League season, the club said on September 6. Further legal action against Mr Sourasis was filed in the County Court of Victoria on October 3 by the tax office, alleging he and his companies have amassed a $6.69m tax debt. Mr Sourasis has not yet filed a defence in either case.
