Stuart and Rebecca Allen face Lismore Local Court bushfire fraud charges

More than 40 witnesses could be called to give evidence after a husband and wife allegedly scammed more than $75,000 through a bushfire grant fund.

Police arrested the husband and wife in East Lismore over alleged bushfire fraud offences.

A husband and wife team allegedly behind an East Lismore bushfire compensation fraud will fight the charges in a hearing that could include more than 40 witnesses.

Stuart Rob Allan, 34, and Rebecca Jane Allan, 33, had their matters mentioned in Lismore Local Court on Monday.

It is alleged Mr Allan and his wife fraudulently claimed more than $75,000 through bushfire grant assistance and tried to claim compensation through insurance.

Police will allege in court Mr Allan claimed he lost more than 3000 head of cattle during the 2019 bushfires and attempted to claim compensation through an insurance company.

Mr Allan is also accused of fraudulently applying for several NSW Government grant schemes for bushfire assistance.

Police say they started their investigations in June last year.

Mr Allen has previously made formal pleas of not guilty to 14 out of his 15 charges.

They included three counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, four counts of failing to comply with mandatory measures, three counts of using false documents to obtain financial advantage, dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, recklessly dealing with crime proceeds over $5000, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, goods suspected to be stolen in premises and possessing an unregistered firearm that isn’t a pistol.

Only his charge of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime remains without a formal plea.

Mrs Allan has pleaded not guilty to 15 charges of a related nature.

A police prosecutor told Lismore Local Court on Monday that 47 prosecution witnesses would be called during the hearing.

He also asked the court for a short adjournment to try and “minimise” that number prior to hearing.

The Allen’s solicitor told the court it was estimated the hearing would last over five days, with a length towards two weeks expected.

Magistrate Jeff Linden adjourned the matter for October 25 mention to see how the hearing was progressing.

He excused Mr and Mrs Allen from attending on that date.