Joshua Howlett Faces New Allegations After Prior Deception Conviction

Joshua Howlett Faces New Allegations Following Deception Conviction

Joshua Howlett, 36, who was convicted in 2019 for obtaining financial advantage by deception, is now facing new claims regarding alleged failed business ventures and unpaid services.

Howlett's 2019 conviction resulted in a three-year community correction order. The Melbourne County Court heard that in 2016, Howlett secured $150,000 from a doctor for a film project titled 'Better Half,' with the understanding that the doctor's daughter would star in it. Production reportedly ceased the same month it began, with court documents indicating Howlett used the funds for personal expenses including fines, rent, travel, clothing, food, and drinks.

Previous Film Project Involving NBA Star

Prior to his conviction, Howlett was involved in efforts to develop a film about NBA player Matthew Dellavedova. Reports indicated he claimed actors such as Woody Harrelson, Nick Nolte, and Liam Hemsworth were interested in participating. However, Dellavedova's manager, Bruce Kaider, stated in 2020 that they ended their association with Howlett due to concerns about his conduct.

New Claims from Individuals

Several individuals have recently come forward with new allegations against Howlett, who is believed to have relocated to the Gold Coast.

Sydney actor Ben Taylor, 34, alleges that Howlett received over $70,000 from him between 2014 and 2019 for the development of three film projects: 'Discovering Amy,' 'Fun Trip,' and a television show. Taylor claims he provided Howlett with $15,000 for 'Discovering Amy' in 2014, receiving an 11-page story treatment. For 'Fun Trip,' Taylor states he provided an additional $50,000, loaned from his parents, based on Howlett's alleged promise to match the amount to secure a $250,000 Screen Victoria grant. A further $5,500 was paid in 2019 for a TV show concept.

Taylor alleges that despite these payments, minimal tangible progress was made on the projects. He claims Howlett asserted connections to industry figures like Baz Luhrmann and Livinia Nixon. Taylor reportedly confronted Howlett in 2020 and again this year after learning of Howlett's past conviction. Taylor claims Howlett denied accusations of fraud and later allegedly threatened a restraining order. Taylor plans to report Howlett to Victoria Police and the Office of Public Prosecutions.

Melbourne couple Mel Matulin and photographer Jamie Etherington claim they were also financially impacted after dealing with Howlett this year. They allege that Etherington was not paid for a purported Vogue photo shoot arranged by Howlett, with the stylist and model also reportedly unpaid.

Matulin stated she posted warnings about Howlett on social media photography groups, receiving numerous responses from other individuals describing negative experiences.

When contacted for comment, Howlett referred all inquiries to his lawyer.