Shane Hatton: Owen Wright, Tyler Wright, Mikey Wright bookkeeper allegedly defrauded siblings of $1.637 million

An enormous court file reveals the bookkeeper charged with defrauding three pro surfing siblings of more than $1.637 million is alleged to have hit one sibling far harder than the others.

The classically Australian success story of three pro surfer siblings taking on the world and its most famous waves has been marred by grave claims their trusted family friend perpetrated a decade-long deception which allegedly cost the south coast family more than $1.63 million.

Culburra’s own Owen, Tyler and Mikey Wright were living an extraordinary dream, travelling the world together and claiming its surf championship titles to boot.

But while the Wrights were carving up their competition, police allege their bookkeeper Shane Maree Hatton – a friend who also managed the books for their parents’ plumbing business – secretly swindled each of them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Shane Maree Hatton (black face mask) pictured at Nowra Local Court. Picture: Eliza Barr

A police bail acknowledgment claims Ms Hatton has already indicated she is responsible for the extensive alleged fraud – which is allegedly documented in 749 individual transaction records.

“The defendant did make admissions to the offences,” police allege in the bail acknowledgment document tendered to the court.

“Police have records of all transactions and the accused has shown remorse towards the victims after the commission of the (alleged) offences.”

An enormous court file – more than 1500 pages contained in a heaving paper ream box at the Nowra Local Court registry – reveals the alleged depths of Ms Hatton’s betrayal of the family that trusted her with their burgeoning fortunes.

Owen Wright of Australia surfing in Round 2 of the 2020 Sydney Surf Pro at Manly Beach.

The documents reveal oldest sibling Owen Wright is by far the most substantial victim of Ms Hatton’s alleged fraud – even as he was experiencing devastating hardship in his personal life.

In June 2015 Owen – now 31 – was riding high on his second title at the Fiji Pro, where he was the first professional surfer in history to record two perfect 10-point rides in one event.

Owen Wright of Australia wins the 2019 Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o after winning the final at Teahupo'o on August 28, 2019 in Tahiti, French Polynesia. Picture: Matt Dunbar/WSL

Just seven months later as he prepared for the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii, Owen had a horrific wipe-out at the notorious Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii – leaving him with a traumatic brain injury.

From the start of Owen’s career in 2012, even as his partner Kita Alexander was teaching him to talk, walk and surf again, and all the way up to May 2020 – police allege Ms Hatton stole a staggering $818,642.80 from him.

Owen with partner Kita Alexander and their son.

According to court documents, Ms Hatton had access to Owen’s internet banking details, and allegedly simply transferred his funds to herself in 334 transactions ranging from $27.65 to $4668.

It was allegedly the same story with Owen’s younger sister – two-time world champion Tyler Wright, who celebrated her 27th birthday the day Ms Hatton was arrested at her Vincentia home by Strike Force Strathwallen detectives.

Tyler Wright. Picture: Adam Yip

Tyler Wright.

Police will allege Ms Hatton defrauded Tyler of $586,805.07 by transferring it from Tyler’s account to her own in 295 transactions ranging from $21 to $4675 in total.

Yet again, police allege Ms Hatton employed the same strategy with Owen and Tyler’s younger brother Mikey, recently hailed as a hero around the world when he saved a distressed woman from perilous surf at the Pipeline break in Hawaii.

Ms Hatton allegedly stole $151,201.23 from Mikey, 24, in 63 transactions out of his internet banking account ranging from $40 to $3538.55.

Mikey Wright of Australia won the Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast on October 7, 2020. (Photo by Kelly Cestari/World Surf League via Getty Images)

The Wright siblings’ parents Robert and Fiona – who first entrusted Ms Hatton with the books for their business R + F Wright’s Plumbing – are also alleged to be victims.

Police allege Ms Hatton fraudulently used pre-signed cheques and internet bank transfers to steal $81,025.29 from Robert and Fiona in 57 transactions ranging from $79 to $3858.

It is now alleged the money is gone, never to be recovered after it was largely gambled away by Ms Hatton and the rest simply wasted, according to court documents.

Shane Maree Hatton (black face mask) pictured at Nowra Local Court. Picture: Eliza Barr

Hatton faced Nowra Local Court for the first time on Monday, where her matter was adjourned for eight weeks for brief services.

Her solicitor did not enter any pleas to the 749 charges of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and she was escorted from the court precinct by her husband and three female supporters.

She returns to court on June 21.