Published: 16:21 BST, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 05:08 BST, 5 August 2026<\/p>\n
For years, Trelease Associates was one of Sydney's glitziest buyers' agencies, attracting deep-pocketed clients, late-night parties and whispers it operated more like an exclusive social club than a real estate business.<\/p>\n
But behind the polished fa\u00e7ade, the Double Bay outfit was unravelling.<\/p>\n
The once high-flying agency has now collapsed into voluntary liquidation, with its director Daniel Trelease claiming in court that the downfall stemmed from an alleged betrayal by the woman he considered his closest confidante.<\/p>\n
ASIC records show Trelease Associates Property Management (TAPM) and its trustee company, Daniel Trelease Pty Ltd, owe almost $2.6million to unsecured creditors.<\/p>\n
At the centre of the legal battle is Trelease's former executive manager, chief financial officer and personal assistant, Jacqueline Clow (n\u00e9e Reidy), who is accused in Supreme Court proceedings of secretly siphoning more than $675,000 from the business and Trelease personally.<\/p>\n
Those allegations were never tested in court after Clow died suddenly in March last year, with court documents alleging the claimed losses ultimately helped bring the once-successful eastern suburbs agency to its knees.<\/p>\n
Friends of Clow, a former socialite, revealed their shock to me last week over the claims that she siphoned money from Trelease's business. Some are convinced there is more to the story.<\/p>\n
Former staff have since lifted the lid on what they describe as a 'boys' club' culture inside the former agency's New South Head Road office.<\/p>\n
According to a source, Daniel Trelease would spend weekends away with Jacqueline Clow and her partner William Clark at their home in Kiama. He would allegedly return to the office and, with a 'wink', allude to the wild partying that had gone on. (Trelease and Clow are pictured)<\/p>\n
The once high-flying agency has now collapsed into voluntary liquidation<\/p>\n
Former staff have since lifted the lid on what they describe as a 'boys' club' culture inside the former agency's office<\/p>\n
One former employee claimed the office was rife with crude banter that wouldn't fly in most workplaces.<\/p>\n
'Some of the vulgarity that went on in that place was unbelievable,' the source alleged.<\/p>\n
The former staff member claimed the culture filtered down from the top, describing director Trelease's leadership style as fostering an environment where boundaries were routinely blurred.<\/p>\n