Alleged Rebels bikie gang associate Ronnie Achurch to fight bushfire fund fraud charges

A designer dog breeder with alleged links to the Rebels bikie gang will fight allegations he defrauded a bushfire grant scheme to help those devastated by the Black Summer blazes.

A designer dog breeder with alleged links to the Rebels bikie gang will fight allegations he defrauded a bushfire grant scheme designed to help those devastated by the Black Summer blazes.

Ronnie Achurch, 32, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of dishonestly gaining financial advantage by deception, publishing false material to obtain advantage, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime more than $50,000, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, and five counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

Ronnie Achurch has been charged with defrauding tens of thousands of dollars from the NSW Small Business Bushfire Fund Grant scheme. Picture: Facebook

Between February 2 and May 4 2020, police allege the Hill Top resident falsely represented himself as a person affected by the Black Summer bushfires in order to receive a payment of $10,000 from the NSW Small Business Bushfire Support Grants scheme. According to police Mr Achurch allegedly pulled the same scam twice – once in Camden Park and once in Hill Top.

Ronnie Achurch outside Picton court at an earlier court appearance last year. Picture: Adelaide Lang

Police allege Mr Achurch falsified documentation to demonstrate his fictional need for a $10,000 grant intended for bushfire victims.

On the day of his arrest on December 9, 2020, police allegedly found a round of .38 special calibre ammunition, 3.87 grams of methamphetamine, and 0.4 grams of cannabis at this property. Mr Achurch, who police allege is linked to the Rebels bikies, is currently subject to a prohibition order not to acquire firearms.

Dog breeder Ronnie Achurch’s Facebook is littered with pictures of dogs dressed in designer brands and gold chains. Picture: Facebook

Police further allege Mr Achurch recklessly dealt with $58,715, which they believe are proceeds of criminal activity.

His arrest was a result of a statewide police investigation into reports members and associates of the Rebels were involved in a bushfire grant fund scheme.

The dog breeder, who lavishes his bulldogs with luxury designer clothes and posts to his Facebook and Instagram account, had denied all the charges before the court.

On Friday, Picton court heard a specialist prosecutor will be handling the matter when it proceeds to a hearing later this year. The hearing is expected to take five hours.

Mr Achurch is currently on bail and required to report to police three times a week.

He will return to Picton court to fight the charges on October 14.