Case Explained: Sydney solicitor accused of stealing $15 million from clients – Legal Perspective

A Sydney solicitor has been charged with allegedly defrauding nearly $15 million from his clients.

Benjamin Paul Reid, 45, fronted court on Thursday on four counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception. 

Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, from the Financial Crimes Squad, said the man allegedly misappropriated $14.8 million from business and trust funds for online gambling.

Superintendent Arbinja said Mr Reid would allegedly place bets to the value of $2,000 to $5,000 at least 30 bets a day across four separate betting sites.

“Chances are you always lose…on this occasion he lost big,” he said. 

The Financial Crimes Squad had been investigating the solicitor at a Bondi Junction law firm since September last year, following a referral from the NSW Law Society.

Between April 2023 and February 2025, Mr Reid had allegedly accessed several business and trust accounts and transferred funds to himself, according to police. 

Superintendent Arbinja said Mr Reid had repaid the vast majority of the funds with assistance from his father. 

Mr Reid was arrested about 10am on Thursday and charged at Maroubra Police Station. 

He was granted bail at the Bail Divsion Court on the condition he is not to work in any position dealing with financial matters or partake in any gambling activities. 

He is due to return to court on March 12.