Andrew Svenson: Lyric, Capitol Theatre fraudster sentenced

He tried to hide behind a Brisbane Lions cap, but there was nothing brave about this manager’s sneaky theatre heist. It can also now be revealed the swindle was not his last.

For many, landing a job at Sydney’s Lyric and Capitol Theatres would be a dream come true. But for one greedy man and convicted fraudster, it was a chance to steal almost $75,000 from a family-owned company.

Andrew Svenson, aged 56 and qualified with a masters degree in hospitality management alongside a criminal record in Queensland and South Australia, began in the trusted role as ‘head of food and beverage operations’ at Foundation Theatres in October 2017.

The company operates Sydney’s Lyric and Capitol Theatres, home to world-class musicals and productions.

Andrew Svenson (left) hides behind his lawyer. Picture: Nikki Short

The scam artist’s effort to hide his face. Picture: Nikki Short

In the space of months of his new role, sneaky Svenson had crafted a way to scam tens of thousands of dollars from his new employer.

An agreed statement of facts, tendered to Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, stated the company’s policy was for $50 notes from the night’s takings to be reserved to replenish an ATM machine in the theatre foyer, a task which often landed with Svenson.

Instead, the senior manager would often steal portions, if not all, of the $50 notes reserved for the ATM machine.

Court documents reveal, between January 2018 and February 2019, Svenson stole $74,590 as a result of his scheme.

When he was seen tinkering with the ATM machine after his employment had ended, an internal investigation uncovered the scale of his crimes.

Svenson has a criminal history in two other states. Picture: Nikki Short

The court heard, however, his life as a scam artist hadn’t ended at Foundation Theatres. In May 2019, Svenson took to Gumtree with an offer too good to be true.

Svenson advertised for an investor in his fictitious business named ‘Copacod Fine Chocolates’ which purportedly supplied chocolates to theatre companies.

The court heard a man reached out and after a number of calls, emails, the exchange of business projections, profit forecasts and a doctored email which appeared to be confirmation from the CEO of Foundation Theatres confirming a supply contract, $50,000 was invested in Svenson’s fake business.

Andrew Svenson pictured outside court last year.

After a number of weeks and small returns paid to the investor, Svenson bailed on the pretend venture and stopped contact owing the victim $46,500.

The police prosecutor told the court Svenson was “dismissive” of his crimes when interviewed for a court-ordered report, in which he said the offences were a “mistake”.

Svenson was convicted of a number of fraud offences, including steal property from employer, and sentenced to a two-year jail sentence to be served in the community. The 56-year-old was also ordered to repay the two victims $160,000 in total, and complete 150 hours community service.

Svenson provided an employment document to the court, indicating he was to be employed as a manager of a bowling club in Wollongong post lockdown.