Family of wealthy entrepreneur have $50m property portfolio frozen
There is no allegation that Dimitra Filippini or the couple’s children played any role in the management of the fund, only that they received money from Robert Filippini, who in turn was paid large sums by the fund’s operator, Paul Chiodo. This included a large sum of investor money funneled to Robert Filippini for the no-budget renovation of Chiodo’s $10 million inner-city space.
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The freezing orders allow the court to reassure Filipinos that their assets will be protected while the case is before the courts. If the liquidators are unsuccessful in their case, the freezing orders will be lifted and Filipinos will have the right to sell any of the properties.
Freeze orders do not apply to Tony and Matilde Filippini’s home, which was once decked out with more than 100,000 Christmas lights each year. There is no suggestion that Tony and Matilde were involved in their son’s legal troubles.
Instead, the orders cover a large portfolio of family properties that includes a $15 million apartment in Melbourne’s city center and a newly built five-storey house in Toorak with a rooftop pool and a basement gym estimated to be worth more than $10 million.
The family’s portfolio also includes many stores in busy retail areas in the city that are subject to an order freeze.
Fifteen vehicles belonging to family members, including four Lamborghinis, two Ferraris, a Maserati and a Jaguar, were also frozen by court orders.
People enjoying Christmas lights in Filipino home in 2019.Credit: Facebook
The family’s appeal comes after Robert Filippini asked the court to postpone the case brought against him and his family by the liquidators and told the court he expected to be charged with offenses as part of the corporate watchdog’s investigation into the collapse of the fund.
Despite this claim, Robert Filippini is not currently the subject of any formal action by the corporate watchdog regarding the Shield Master Fund. Neither does any member of his family.
Robert Filippini also argued that he had long been unfairly targeted by liquidators and company watchdogs, that the money he received was for legitimate construction projects and that delays in paperwork were due to the fund, not him.
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He also tried to save the fund through a rescue package known as a company charter, which was rejected by creditors and administrators.
Robert Filippini also told the court that he made transfers to family members’ bank accounts without consulting them.
Dimitra Filippini and her children left Australia for a holiday in May 2025 and told the court they would return in July, but they are not expected to return until May 2026. Robert remained in Australia.
The court heard the family transferred $7.7 million from bank accounts in Australia to bank accounts abroad between January and July this year.
The family’s appeal will be heard early next year.
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