Former WA Family Court Magistrate Colin Kaeser Alleged Theft of $637k from Dementia Dying Mother
As plenary guardian and administrator, Colin Kaeser had a strict legal duty under Western Australian law to act solely in his mother’s best interests, manage her finances prudently, and prioritise her needs, particularly the high costs of aged care for someone with dementia.
Public reports indicate the funds were allegedly transferred into his own mortgage offset account while he was still a sitting magistrate. This raises deeply disturbing questions about whether his mother’s funds were available for her essential care needs at a time when she was most vulnerable.
Kaeser served approximately 12 years as a Family Court Magistrate, The alleged offending occurred while he was still a full sitting judicial officer, a position of immense public trust. He only resigned in January 2022. Multiple reports explicitly note the offending happened “when Mr Kaeser was still serving as a magistrate.”
At his initial hearing, his lawyer requested a suppression order, which was refused by the magistrate. Despite this, the case has received surprisingly little ongoing media attention since the initial December 2025 reports.
The upcoming 27 May 2026 Committal Mention is a key public step in proceedings. Given the scale of the alleged theft, the profound breach of fiduciary duty, the vulnerability of the victim, and Kaeser’s position as a judicial officer, this matter carries significant public interest. It goes to the heart of accountability, especially for those entrusted with judging others in family law matters involving vulnerable parties