Jodi Louise Nuske trial for allegedly defrauding Bistro C, Noosa, enters day two

As a successful Noosa restaurant owner returned to the witness box for a $750,000 fraud trial, a new detail surrounding a 17-page police statement has emerged.

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

Claims a former employee of a ritzy Noosa restaurant admitted to swindling the business out of more than $750,000 were not included in the business owner’s initial police statement, a court has heard.

Jodi Louise Nuske is on trial in the Maroochydore District Court after she pleaded not guilty to defrauding her former workplace, Bistro C in Hastings St, Noosa, out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

December 6 marked the second day of the trial, as Ms Nuske’s former employer, Lorraine Banks, returned to the witness box to be cross examined by the defence counsel.

Ms Banks had told the court the day before how Ms Nuske had been employed as an accounts and business manager at the restaurant when Ms Banks was alerted to several transactions to Ms Nuske’s accounts, none of which Ms Banks said she authorised or knew about.

She told the court she confronted Ms Nuske, and after presenting her with alleged proof of the transactions, Ms Nuske broke down in tears and began apologising, thereby admitting she had done it.

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

During cross-examination defence barrister Scott Casey said Ms Banks’ claims of Ms Nuske’s apology was missing from the businesswoman’s 17-page police statement given over a period from February 2017 to April 2019.

Ms Banks was then given a copy of the statement, and agreed with Mr Casey’s proposition.

A further two witnesses were called, including Ms Banks’ accountant and one of her daughters, who told the court she was one of Ms Nuske’s closest friends prior to the allegations.

She told the court Ms Nuske had an “extravagant lifestyle” towards the end of her employment at Bistro C, despite being employed on a casual basis.

But when she asked her friend about this, Ms Nuske said she had a “good shares portfolio”.

The trial continues on December 7, where Ms Banks’ daughter will be cross-examined by Mr Casey.