KNYSNA NEWS - Richelle Kohn, who has been accused of fleecing clients, has rejected most of the allegations against her, saying she only borrowed money "from friends".
Kohn said she had promised to repay the money to "EO and JK", two people quoted in a News24 article last week, but they had proceeded to make allegations against her.
The two have reported her to the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services ( FAIS) Ombud.
Kohn said that, since an article was published by News24, she has had to face a barrage of scrutiny and was afraid to even leave her home.
One-sided
She said the article was one-sided and did not include relevant information she had provided to News24.
"The article has caused me incredible reputational damage and I have consulted with my lawyer," said Kohn.
"I admit I borrowed money from people and I have promised to repay them. There is nothing like me fleecing clients and looking for the next victim. I have stayed in Knysna and not fled anywhere."
The allegations against her were made in the News24 article by two unidentified individuals "EO and JK", whose allegations were published anonymously.
High ground
Kohn said she was sent an email in which the two threatened to go public, which she considered was "blackmail".
The email contains evidence of private matters that she did not want to "put out there, and start a mudslinging match".
The reason for her not spelling it out is that she wants to retain the high ground in what, she says, has become a personal vendetta against her.
She has known her accusers "for a very long time" and regarded them as friends and colleagues.
She believes the relationships soured because she, admittedly, broke client privilege and spoke about personal medical matters behind someone's back.
According to News24, the two women recently sounded a clarion call on social media - without naming Kohn - in a bid to determine if they were the only ones. According to them, over 30 people - ranging from former clients to colleagues in the coastal town - reached out, claiming Kohn had financially crippled them by asking for money and paying little to nothing back.
According to the News24 article, Kohn denies owing that many people money, claiming she is only indebted to nine people for a cumulative R610 000.
Allegations
"If there are allegedly 30 people, why has no one else come forward?
They would have my number," said Kohn. "The allegations of leaving clients in the lurch are untrue - I always had the intention of repaying the loans. When the issue was elevated to social media, my name was not mentioned - but when they went to News24 they knew my name would be mentioned."
She said she felt badgered by EO and JK, and asked why they had not identified themselves.
Kohn added that she received correspon-dence from the ombud to reach a settlement among themselves and that her lawyer had started the process.
Knysna-Plett Herald has requested comment from FAIS Ombud Adv John Simpson and as soon as it is received, it will be added.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
