Arrest warrant issued for builder Sam Sgherza over failure to appear in court over theft charges

A builder facing claims he stole $300,000 from an Adelaide businessman has had a warrant issued for his arrest.

Developer Salvatore 'Sam' Sgherza. Picture: Russell Millard

An arrest warrant has been issued for a builder after he failed to attend a court hearing over allegations of stealing more than $300,000 from an Adelaide businessman.

Salvatore “Sam” Sgherza is facing a dozen charges over allegations he falsified documents and stole money from North Adelaide accountant Bruno Battistella, according to an SA Police summons filed with the Adelaide Magistrates Court.

Magistrate David McLeod issued a warrant against Sgherza, 57, after he was a no-show at a March 12 hearing, court records supplied to The Advertiser show.

It was unclear if Sgherza – who is a former bankrupt – was arrested.

According to the police court summons, Sgherza’s alleged criminal conduct occurred between March 24, 2017, and June 8, 2017, and involved amounts of between $30,000 and $58,000.

The 12 charges have been listed as basic offences that each carry up to 10 years’ jail if proven.

The Sunday Mail understands Sgherza was getting married on Saturday, March 20 and was to honeymoon in Queensland.

He was the developer of projects including West Lakes’ Infinity Waters, Crown Marina at North Haven and the troubled August Towers in the city.

He was discharged from bankruptcy in 2015.

In March 2018, finance company CEG – which is not connected to the current court case – took control of the August Towers project from Sgherza, triggering the liquidation of his firm, South 2015, with debts of nearly $30m.

Sgherza referred inquiries to his lawyer, who said he had no instructions from his client to comment.