Australian fast fit pioneer loses family money feud
Bob Jane, founder of the Australian fast fit network that still bears his name, lost twice over in the state of Victoria’s Supreme Court on 9 August. Not only did Justice Michael Sifris dismiss his claim for AU$2.9 million he says is owed to him, the ruling further embittered the 83 year old’s feelings towards the defendant – his son, Rodney.
Jane’s case centred around $520,000 he handed to Rodney Jane for the purchase of a company property in 2006 and a further $2.4 million loan made to the Bob Jane Corporation, which Rodney heads. Rodney Jane argued that the smaller sum was a gift from his father rather than a loan and that the second amount has already been repaid. Both Janes have very strong, and divergent opinions regarding the $2.9 million – according to Australia’s Seven News, father Bob accused his son of “robbing him of his tyre fortune and leaving him with only the roof over his head”, while Rodney claimed he saved the Bob Jane Corporation “from the brink of collapse at the request of his father.”
Justice Sifris sided with Jane Jr. and ruled that the Bob Jane Corporation had already paid the $2.4 million loan and that the $520,000 was indeed a gift. Newspaper The Australian notes that during the trial Ian Waller SC, who represented Rodney Jane, questioned the credibility of Bob Jane’s evidence. “He has shown himself to be a shrewd and calculating witness capable of fashioning his evidence to suit his needs as they arise and which may change from time to time,” said Waller in his closing address. He also accused Bob Jane of overstating his health problems, a point refuted by Bob Jane’s barrister Geoffrey McCormick.
Outside the court building, Bob Jane told reporters he didn’t regret bringing his case to court and that he didn’t consider reconciliation with his son a possibility. Rodney Jane expressed similar scepticism towards patching up the differences with his father.
Bob Jane Corporation Pty Ltd was established in 1965 under the name Bob Jane T Marts Pty Ltd. Rodney Jane joined the company’s executive team in 1999 took over as CEO in 2002. Father Bob is no stranger to media attention; the breakdown in his relationship with third wife Laree made headlines in 2009 after she was accused of threatening to kill him, and more recently Bob Jane Corporation took Bob Jane to court in order to stop him using his own name to sell tyres through a new online business. Bob Jane has apparently reconciled with his ex-wife, leaving him now at odds with only one relative.
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