A vulnerable father, Kevin, was allegedly exploited by an NDIS provider, leaving his family feeling betrayed and seeking justice.
Kevin, once a vibrant and social 67-year-old, has faced a series of devastating health challenges, including strokes, early-onset dementia, and a recent terminal cancer diagnosis. His world has shrunk, and his dependence on others has grown.
When his son, Scott, could no longer provide the necessary care, he turned to Angels Care, a facility run by Geoffrey Harrison, believing it to be a safe and registered NDIS provider. Little did they know, this decision would lead to a financial nightmare.
Kevin's NDIS funding, a substantial $488,000 annually, was meant to cover his support needs. However, after Angels Care rebranded, Harrison began charging Kevin almost double, demanding close to $10,000 weekly. On top of that, Harrison issued random bills, including a $25,000 charge, and misused Kevin's personal funds for services already covered by his NDIS allocation.
Scott discovered that Harrison had overcharged Kevin by a staggering $200,000 in just one year. When Kevin's NDIS payments were depleted, Harrison allegedly demanded a further $43,000, threatening to evict Kevin if the money wasn't paid immediately.
But here's where it gets controversial... Harrison's alleged actions didn't stop there. Former manager Wayne revealed that it wasn't just participants' money that was disappearing. He claimed to have paid out $5000 in wages and an additional $300 for supplies, all from his personal account, as Harrison failed to meet his financial obligations.
Wayne's experience is not an isolated incident. Harrison has a history of financial troubles, including an investigation in 2022 for not paying staff entitlements in Victoria. Despite this, he continues to operate under a new name, Quality Home Health Services, offering care to vulnerable individuals.
Scott and Wayne are determined to expose Harrison's alleged misconduct and prevent others from falling victim to his alleged financial exploitation.
"He treated dad like a bank account," Scott claimed. "I want him brought to justice. I want him to pay back the money he's ripped off from the NDIS. At the end of the day, Australians pay their taxes, and he's ripping off every one of us."
Wayne echoed Scott's sentiments, calling for Harrison to be held accountable for his actions and for his operations to be shut down.
And this is the part most people miss... Harrison disputes the allegations, insisting he provides top-quality care and claiming his staff are being paid. He even sent proof of an international award, deeming him the "best community care innovator in the world."
But with a history of financial investigations and the permanent ban on Angels Care by the NDIS Commission, the question remains: Can we truly trust Harrison's claims?
What are your thoughts? Do you think Harrison's actions warrant further investigation and legal consequences? Share your opinions in the comments below!
