Sharon Nitschke appears in court charged with swindling $250,000 from wine committee

A RIVERLAND woman has appeared in court for the first time charged with stealing more than $250,000 from a not-for-profit organisation.

A RIVERLAND woman has appeared in court for the first time charged with stealing more than $250,000 from a not-for-profit organisation.

Sharon Tracey Nitschke, 52, appeared in the Berri Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with stealing from the Riverland Vine Improvement Committee and the Australian Grapevine Foundation Planting Service.

Court documents reveal the alleged offences occurred between December 2014 and December 2017.

Barmera woman Sharon Nitschke has been charged with siphoning $250,000 from the Riverland Vine Improvement Committee to fund her own lifestyle.

The documents do not specify the amount of money she allegedly siphoned from the victims but following her arrest, police revealed it was more than $250,000.

Nitschke, of Barmera, was an employee of the Riverland Vine Improvement Committee, producers of Cirami Estate wines.

The committee, based at Monash, aims to generate interest in different grape varieties across the Riverland, as well as supply improved vine material to meet growing trends in the industry.

Police allege Sharon Nitschke used the stolen money to pay for renovations and jewellery.

Police will allege Nitschke carried out hundreds of illegal transactions and made purchases — including jewellery, make-up, home renovations and made other personal purchases — with the money.

Magistrate Bob Harrap was told the case had “some distance to travel” as it was a major indictable offence and needed to be transferred to Adelaide.

He transferred the matter to the Adelaide Magistrates Court, where Nitschke will reappear in March.