Accountant charged with stealing $700,000 from Makybe Diva owner Tony Santic
A GEELONG accountant has been charged with stealing almost $700,000 from Port Lincoln tuna baron Tony Santic.
A GEELONG accountant has been charged with stealing almost $700,000 from the owner of triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva.
Mathew Hay, 33, of Barwon Heads Caravan Park, appeared in Geelong Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with a single count of theft from horse owner Tony Santic, the Geelong Advertiser reports.
It is alleged Mr Hay used some of the money to buy shares in four separate racehorses.
Mr Hay was employed as an accountant at Makybe Racing and Breeding, based in the Barrabool Hills at Gnarrwarre, between January 12, 2009, and March 14, 2012, when he allegedly began transferring money from Mr Santic's accounts into his own personal accounts.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Alana Jackson said the total amount transferred into Mr Hay's accounts and used by him for personal and family use was $695,740.73. None of the money has been recovered.
Robert Morgan, for Mr Hay, said his client's father had put up $100,000 as surety and that Mr Hay would reside with him at Polwarth St, Colac, while on bail.
Magistrate Stephen Myall granted bail with additional conditions including that Mr Hay not apply for a passport.
The matter was then adjourned for a committal mention at Geelong Magistrates' Court at 9.30am on August 3.