OnlyFans Creator's Lavish Gifts and Legal Troubles
Bridget Cotter, an OnlyFans content creator, found herself in complex legal and financial troubles stemming from her relationship with a subscriber, Colin Kinnest. Cotter, who started on OnlyFans at the age of 18, described Kinnest as her "sugar daddy," receiving lavish gifts during their three-year interaction. These gifts notably included "$20,000 for drinks" on a vacation in Bali, explained Cotter.
Major Purchase and Financial Windfall
The relationship took a significant turn when Kinnest, who portrayed himself as a bachelor, purchased a four-bedroom house in Coomera on the Gold Coast, valued at $867,000 for Cotter. This substantial investment made Cotter, a dental assistant by profession, a homeowner by the age of 21. Her annual income from OnlyFans during this time was nearing $100,000.
Tax Evasion Allegations and Asset Freeze
However, the situation escalated when Cotter received a penal notice from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) while driving to Victoria for Father's Day. This notice was part of a freezing order on Cotter's assets, including her newly acquired house, as a consequence of Kinnest's legal issues.
Kinnest, 36, and his wife Ashlee were accused of serious tax offenses, involving their company, Bundaberg Indoor Sports, and other related entities. They allegedly falsely claimed over $39 million in Goods and Sales Tax (GST) credits, which led to inflated sales figures totaling $537 million between September 2021 and December 2024. These false claims reportedly financed lavish expenditures on properties, luxury goods, and entertainment.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and ATO Action
The ATO has initiated court action to recover $61.4 million, including penalties, from the Kinnests. This includes a freezing order on their assets to prevent dissipation following Colin Kinnest's non-compliance with investigations and his efforts to sell off properties. Colin Kinnest also made 935 payments to various OnlyFans accounts over two years, unraveling his complex financial engagements.
The ongoing court proceedings aim to address the extent of the alleged tax evasion and financial mismanagement connected with the Kinnests’ lifestyle and business operations. Their solicitor, Bruce Peters, expressed astonishment at how the ATO overlooked the escalating fictitious claims until they reached a "catastrophic" sum. Attempts by ABC to reach the Kinnests for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
