Former solicitor Mouna Youssef has been involved in a series of criminal activities, including forgery, threats, and fraud. After Centrelink revealed the true amount of a certificate, Youssef had forged the signature of assessor Hugh Macken. When this was discovered and reported to the police and Legal Services Commissioner, Youssef began harassing and threatening her former friend, Hanadi Rafraf. She continuously contacted Rafraf through calls, messages, and emails, even climbing the fence of her house. Youssef also attempted to blackmail Rafraf and lied to the legal watchdog about the situation.
Youssef’s lack of contrition and continuous denial of her actions were evident during court proceedings. Despite being caught in various criminal activities, she maintained her innocence in interviews with Corrective Services. These actions ultimately led to the magistrate determining that only a full-time custodial sentence would suffice for Youssef’s behavior. Additionally, former clients have come forward alleging that Youssef defrauded them. One client claimed she scammed him out of $700,000, while another accused her of stealing $1.3 million and forging signatures on legal documents.
In a separate incident in April 2021, Youssef was accused of submitting falsified invoices to a financial institution. She claimed her client was about to receive a $3.5 million payout and requested payment for various invoices from doctors and experts. However, Legal Pay discovered that several of the invoices were fabricated, leading to Youssef being reported to the police and the LSC. Despite facing suspension of her practicing certificate, Youssef took legal action to prevent this suspension. However, Justice Christine Adamson determined that Youssef posed a danger to the public due to her misuse of trust and unethical behavior, resulting in her permanent suspension.
Youssef’s pattern of criminal behavior showcases a disregard for the law and a willingness to deceive and defraud others. From forging signatures to threatening and harassing individuals, Youssef has shown a lack of remorse for her actions. Despite facing legal consequences and suspension of her practicing certificate, she continued to engage in fraudulent activities. The severity of her offenses led the magistrate to impose a custodial sentence, reflecting the serious nature of Youssef’s criminal behavior. The allegations against Youssef highlight the importance of upholding ethical standards and the rule of law within the legal profession to protect clients and the public from potential harm.
