ASIC Sentences Former CEO of van Eyk Research to 15 Months Imprisonment

Wednesday, 16/11/2022 | 10:41 GMT by Damian Chmiel
  • Thomas will be banned from managing a company for five years.
  • He was ordered to perform 250 hours of community service.
indictment, crime, fraud


The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC ) has informed that Mark Peter Thomas, the former CEO of van Eyk Research, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. He used his position to obtain a financial advantage for himself.

In 2014, for a period of almost a month, Thomas used his role as the CEO of van Eyk Research subsidiary Blueprint Investment Management Limited. The convict independently recommended and facilitated the company to invest about $5 million in the Wholesale Enhanced Income Fund.

Later, the funds were loaned to TAA Melbourne Pty Ltd and used to acquire shares in van Eyk Research where Thomas also held an executive position. The court found that the convict misused his executive role with this action, preventing a third party from taking control over Blueprint. According to the court, he acted only in his own interest to ensure that he retained his seat as the Chief Investment Officer at van Eyk Research and as a general director at Blueprint.

According to the ASIC's press release, imprisonment will be served through an Intensive Correction Order (ICO). It is a custodial sentence of up to two years that is done in the community under intensive supervision. Additionally, Thomas was ordered to complete 250 hours of community service. After serving his sentence, Thomas will be banned from managing a company for five years.

ASIC reports that the court took mitigating circumstances into account, as the maximum penalty for Thomas's misconduct is $340,000, five years in prison, or both.

Another Week, Another Case

Thomas's case is yet another that the Australian market watchdog has reported in recent months. A week ago, the creator of the $180 million FX Ponzi scheme pleaded guilty at the Australian court. Tony Iervasi, a former Courtenay House Director, faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $810,000.

Two weeks earlier, ASIC banned Mark Bringans, a former employee of Trade360 who acted as a responsible manager, for eight years. The regulator found that his duties were not appropriately met.


The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC ) has informed that Mark Peter Thomas, the former CEO of van Eyk Research, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. He used his position to obtain a financial advantage for himself.

In 2014, for a period of almost a month, Thomas used his role as the CEO of van Eyk Research subsidiary Blueprint Investment Management Limited. The convict independently recommended and facilitated the company to invest about $5 million in the Wholesale Enhanced Income Fund.

Later, the funds were loaned to TAA Melbourne Pty Ltd and used to acquire shares in van Eyk Research where Thomas also held an executive position. The court found that the convict misused his executive role with this action, preventing a third party from taking control over Blueprint. According to the court, he acted only in his own interest to ensure that he retained his seat as the Chief Investment Officer at van Eyk Research and as a general director at Blueprint.

According to the ASIC's press release, imprisonment will be served through an Intensive Correction Order (ICO). It is a custodial sentence of up to two years that is done in the community under intensive supervision. Additionally, Thomas was ordered to complete 250 hours of community service. After serving his sentence, Thomas will be banned from managing a company for five years.

ASIC reports that the court took mitigating circumstances into account, as the maximum penalty for Thomas's misconduct is $340,000, five years in prison, or both.

Another Week, Another Case

Thomas's case is yet another that the Australian market watchdog has reported in recent months. A week ago, the creator of the $180 million FX Ponzi scheme pleaded guilty at the Australian court. Tony Iervasi, a former Courtenay House Director, faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $810,000.

Two weeks earlier, ASIC banned Mark Bringans, a former employee of Trade360 who acted as a responsible manager, for eight years. The regulator found that his duties were not appropriately met.

About the Author: Damian Chmiel
Damian Chmiel
  • 3352 Articles
  • 105 Followers
About the Author: Damian Chmiel
Damian Chmiel is a Senior Analyst & Editor at Finance Magnates with more than 15 years of experience in the CFD and online trading industry. Active as both a trader and journalist since 2010, he focuses on broker coverage, fintech innovation, and regulatory developments across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His work includes interviews with C-level leaders at major brokerages and fintech platforms, as well as co-authoring Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry benchmarking reports. Damian’s reporting is data-driven, market-aware, and grounded in direct industry engagement. His analysis and commentary have also been cited by external media outlets, including Investing.com, Binance, The Asset, Stockhead, and Dispatch. Education: MA in Finance and Accounting, Cracow University of Economics
  • 3352 Articles
  • 105 Followers

More from the Author

Retail FX

!"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|} !"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}