A former office manager and bookkeeper at a Bushfield construction company has been accused of misappropriating more than $29,000.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Emma Louise Smith, 34, of Bushfield, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday facing charges including obtain property by deception, false accounting, unauthorised computer impairment, modification, alteration and trespass offences and use a carriage service to menace while employed at Rodger Constructions.
She will front a three-day contested hearing from May 8 to 10 next year.
Police prosecutor Carolyn Howe told the court the accused - who has no prior criminal history and was aged 30 at the time of the alleged offending - worked for the construction company from 2008 until her role was terminated in February 2020.
IN OTHER NEWS
Ms Howe said the accused allegedly used the company's corporate credit card and then deliberately mis-allocated expenditure in the books and records.
"In early 2020, Jason Rodger and (company director) Graeme Rodger had a discussion that there had been some taking money out of Rodger Constructions due to the lack of funds and that it should be investigated," she told the court.
"In Jason Rodger's words he said there was 'a leak in the bucket'."
According to Ms Howe, the accused's alleged personal transactions related to women's clothing, restaurants, other food, online shopping - various entities being paid through PayPal - electronics and white goods amounting to $29,822.27, which had since been paid back in full by a third party.
Lawyer Ian George Crisp said his client was "filled with remorse".
"In a nutshell, we're dealing with a woman who has no priors or subsequent matters," he said.
Magistrate Franz Holzer said there appeared to be two likely outcomes.
"At the end of the day, I know that you are pushing for a corrections order and I know the prosecutor is pushing for a jail sentence."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.standard.net.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines and newsletters
- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
- Tap here to open our Google News page
- Join our Courts and Crime Facebook group and our dedicated Sport Facebook group
- Subscribe