Jodi Louise Nuske on trial for fraud at Bistro C, Noosa

The owner of ritzy Hastings St restaurant Bistro C has told a court how a former employee allegedly swindled the business out of more than $750,000.

Jodi Louise Nuske leaves Maroochydore District Court. Pictured: Patrick Woods.

An employee at a ritzy Noosa restaurant defrauded the business out of more than $750,000 because the owner had refused to loan her $100,000 a year earlier, a court has been told.

Jodi Louise Nuske sat in the dock in Maroochydore District Court on December 5 for the first day of her trial over allegations she defrauded her former workplace, Bistro C in Hastings St, out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

She is charged with fraud and has pleaded not guilty.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said in his opening statements Ms Nuske swindled the Noosa business, where she was employed as an accounts and business manager at the time, out of $768,888.82.

The first witness for the prosecution, Bistro C owner Lorraine Banks, told the court Ms Nuske’s job meant she had “full control” of the business’ finances because Ms Banks was “not very good with numbers” or technology.

Ms Nuske had complete access to all Ms Banks’ accounts, both business and personal, the court was told.

Jodi Louise Nuske leaves Maroochydore District Court. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ms Banks said Ms Nuske had been employed at Bistro C for approximately 18 years and the two shared a close relationship, to the point Ms Banks gave her power of attorney over her will.

“I treated her like one of my own daughters,” Ms Banks said.

“I completely trusted her.”

But she said that trust was later broken when Ms Banks enlisted her bank manager to check the business accounts, and several transactions to Ms Nuske’s personal accounts, her credit cards and other personal invoices were discovered.

These included school fees for her two children, rates for her new Noosaville home and new furniture.

Ms Nuske was off work at the time, Ms Banks said, after recovering from surgery.

When Ms Nuske returned on September 2, 2016, she found the locks at the external work office had been changed and called Ms Banks to let her in.

There, Ms Nuske was confronted by Ms Banks, who told her she “(knew Ms Nuske) was stealing from (her)”.

The court was told Ms Nuske allegedly became enraged and denied the accusations, but broke down in tears and allegedly began apologising after Ms Banks showed her alleged proof.

Maroochydore Courthouse. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ms Banks said Ms Nuske offered to pay the money back immediately, but Ms Banks declined, not knowing the total amount Ms Nuske had allegedly taken.

Ms Banks told the court she then asked Ms Nuske why she allegedly took the money and claimed she told her it was because Ms Banks did not loan her $100,000 a year earlier to start her own business venture.

Ms Banks told the court Ms Nuske’s employment was terminated immediately, and she was given three months to repay the funds or Ms Banks would take the matter to the police.

Staff at Bistro C were told Ms Nuske had left to follow her own pursuits, Ms Banks said.

She denied any and all claims she knew or had authorised any of the transactions Ms Nuske had made.

Ms Nuske’s defence counsel will cross examine Ms Banks on Tuesday, December 6, as the trial continues.