Christopher Michael Brown: ‘Whiz kid’ who ripped off his grandparents now facing $500,000 theft accusations

Details of the latest charges against a betting scheme promoter who ripped off his own grandparents have emerged in court, with Christopher Michael Brown now fighting accusations he stole $500,000. The 31-year-old was in August spared jail for intentionally making a false statement related to his bankruptcy, which was forced by the Federal Court in 2021 amid claims he owed creditors more than $174 million, a figure based on promised profits. The University of WA commerce graduate had taken cash from school, social, racing, sporting and business contacts since 2015 with claims he had low-risk, high-return ways of betting and investing in shares. Among those he owed money to were his grandparents, who instigated the bankruptcy action against him after he failed to repay them $82,000. He walked free from Perth Magistrates Court after entering into a $5000 recognisance, pledging he would be of good behaviour for six months. Brown is now back in the same court over accusations dating back to late 2020 and on Wednesday reiterated not guilty pleas to two counts of stealing, first entered in January. The court was told each count related to sums of $250,000. The matter was committed to the District Court of WA on September 19 for a trial listing hearing.