Country manager Matthew Lane robbed Taiwan-based agricultural company of $350,000
A country manager of an international agricultural company managed to secretly funnel $350,000 of company funds to his own bank account before he finally came undone.
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A gambler who ripped off his workplace $350,000 by using the company card for personal expenses will push for no jail time, a court has heard.
Matthew Lane, 50, was harbouring a sinister secret while trusted by an international company with a significant responsibility.
A prosecutor told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday Lane was employed as the country manager of a Taiwan-based agricultural company with global offices in August 2015.
“The company deals with the distribution of agricultural chemicals … it’s a farming industry on a commercial scale,” the prosecutor said.
The court heard Lane, who was responsible for company finances and product distribution, was issued with a company debit card limited to business expenses.
The company requested sales reports from Lane in May 2016 and became concerned when Lane didn’t provide them and initiated an investigation.
“The investigation revealed significant discrepancies,” the prosecutor said.
Lane admitted that many of the transactions on the company card were for personal use and not legitimate business transactions.
The court heard there were a number of cash withdrawals and transfers directly into his personal bank account, as well as purchases at retail and grocery stores.
The prosecutor said the total amount of misappropriated company funds was $350,000 and the company was seeking compensation.
The court heard Lane also deceived Aussie Farmers Group who made two payments totalling $18,480 for farming chemicals.
Aussie Farmers Group believed they were transferring money to the company, however Lane had provided them with his personal bank account.
Lane, of Carrickalinga, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of theft and one count of deception, replacing the 323 originally laid by police.
Nicholas Kernahan, for Lane, told the court he was getting gambling assistance and they would be pushing for a suspended or home detention sentence.
Magistrate Kym Millard adjourned the charges until December so the prosecution could provide further evidence about the requested compensation and Lane could receive psychological treatment.
“I in no way underestimate the seriousness of these charges,” he said.
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