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Luke Moore has led a charmed life, so much so they now want to make a movie about him.
He has signed to Creative Artists Agency in LA, one of the largest celebrity management agencies in the world.
The 29-year-old knock-about Goulburn man lived the high life of a millionaire after a bank error allowed him to overdraw an account, which he did – to the tune of $2.1 million.
During the ensuing spending spree, he paid off a mortgage, acquired expensive sports cars including a Maserati and an Aston Martin, a boat, pricey art works including Picasso and Andy Warhol originals, and signed memorabilia from bands such as Led Zeppelin.
“It has been a crazy roller coaster of a ride,” Mr Moore said.
“It happened over a period of time. I didn't suddenly have $2 million. I sold my house and made a fresh start in Surfers’ Paradise. I was 22 and had a good line of credit from a bank. Life was sweet!”
Then on December 12, 2012 it all came crashing down when police raided his Goulburn home and seized everything.
Overnight he went from playboy to prisoner.
Despite pleading not guilty to charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, the Sydney District Court sentenced him to four years six months’ jail.
He spent six months behind bars, shuffled between Goulburn, Bathurst, Silverwater and Oberon jails.
During this time he “read up on law” and got bail when he lodged an appeal. He had a Sydney barrister represent him and on December 1, 2016 the Supreme Court acquitted him.
“The Supreme Court ruled that because of the contract I had in place with the bank, it fully entitled me to do what I did.”
He is now living a more modest life on Austudy and studying law at Charles Sturt University to fulfill his ambition of becoming a criminal lawyer.
“People thought I was ripping off Centrelink. That was not true. I’m no welfare cheat. There is a big difference in people’s perceptions when it involves taking money from a bank,” he said.
He resumes his law studies on February 27. He wants to become a criminal lawyer and ply his trade in Goulburn.
“I want to be a criminal lawyer and I can’t imagine any accused criminal coming into my office, knowing my history, and not wanting me to represent them – can you?” he said with a wink.
“There might be an issue when it comes time for me to be admitted to the bar. I don’t want to do my whole degree and then not become a lawyer. I have had offers of assistance from all over the world from lecturers and legal professors to contact them if I need their help.
“I have a clean criminal record, but it is not just about that. You have to be a fit and proper person of good character. I think I’ll be right, though.”
He said the film about him would have all the elements that Hollywood was after.
“It is going to be a comedy or a drama?” he asked.
“It is going to be serious as well. It has the whole legal aspect of the underdog fighting the system, as well, while being in jail. It has all the elements of a Hollywood film. It even has a few love interests … but none of them have worked out real well.”
For now he is just content to see what else life dishes up to him.
“I have decided I am just going to roll with it now,” he said.
“I am in too deep, there is no point backing out now. I hope my celebrity status opens up more opportunities for me.”
David Cole
Journalist at the Goulburn Post
Journalist at the Goulburn Post
