Sydney-based financial adviser, Alan Leslie Brown, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment with 21 months non-parole after pleading guilty to charges brought by ASIC.

Sydney-based financial adviser, Alan Leslie Brown, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment with 21 months non-parole after pleading guilty to six charges brought by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.

Brown was sentenced in the Sydney Downing Centre courthouse after pleading guilty on 10 May this year to one count of obtaining money by deception, one count of using a false instrument and four counts of dishonest conduct in relation to financial services, according to a statement on ASIC's website. 

Brown fraudulently withdrew approximately $600,000 from five clients’ accounts between July 2002 and July 2008 as well as forging a client’s signature to obtain further funds from the their account.

The Australian financial planning and stock broking organisation, Bridges Financial Services, alerted the ASIC about Brown’s criminal conduct.

Brown worked for Bridges between June 2007 and May 2008. The firm assisted the ASIC with its investigations into the allegations.

The commonwealth director of public prosecutions brought Brown to court, who is from Lugarno in New South Wales.  

"ASIC's action against Mr Brown reflects the Commission's commitment to building confidence in the integrity of Australia's financial planning industry by ensuring those providing advice maintain high ethical standards," the statement said.