Property mogul Thomas Breuer’s EA Cheree Curran on trial for stealing $1.2 million

The secrets of a powerful eastern suburbs family are set to be revealed in a case involving $1.3 million in alleged illegal bank transfers.

EXCLUSIVE

An executive assistant for one of the richest men in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is on trial accused of stealing almost $1.3 million from his bank accounts in a case that has aired the secrets of one of the city’s most powerful families.

But Cheree Curran allegedly claimed her boss, Bellevue Hill property mogul Thomas Breuer, was a “virile man” who “had his needs” and that she transferred money on his orders him to “protect” him from women, “grifters” and “1950s” style business dealings that came back to haunt him, a jury has been told.

Mr Breuer, a Hungarian holocaust survivor, moved to Sydney after World War II and spent decades building a business and property empire, which included a Bellevue Hill mansion that sold for $33 million.

Ms Curran was employed to manage invoicing and banking for Mr Breuer because he was “computer illiterate”, the jury was told.

She has pleaded not guilty in the Sydney District Court to seven counts of obtaining a financial benefit by deception over police claims she siphoned $1.28 million to her own accounts over three years to fund spending on clothes, Apple products and other luxury goods.

Cheree Curran leaving the Downing Centre this week. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Ms Curran’s lawyers Mike Smith and Paul McGirr told the jury the defence case will focus on whether Mr Breuer “had a motive to lie” and authorised Ms Curran to make the transfers.

One of the challenges for the case is that Mr Breuer died in October 2022.

Tom Breuer built a property and business empire before his death

The trial began before Judge Garry Neilson on Friday and is set to x-ray Mr Breuer’s personal affairs.

The court was told the alleged theft was discovered by Mr Breuer’s staff and family, including daughter Nicky McWilliam.

Ms McWilliam, a lawyer and the wife of high profile Channel 7 executive Bruce McWilliam, gave evidence on Friday.

She had been estranged from her father shortly after the 2010 death of her mother who established Woollahra’s landmark Eva Breuer Gallery.

Lawyer Paul McGirr, who is representing Ms Curan, leaving the Downing Centre. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The court was told the alleged theft was discovered in 2022 after Ms McWilliam reconciled with her father and took a role in his business.

Prosecuting lawyer Daniel Noll told the court Ms Curran transferred money out of one of Mr Breuer’s main bank accounts and into an ANZ account that had not been used for years.

Ms Curran is accused of then transferring the money to her personal accounts.

Several of the transfers were titled as “gifts” from “Tompa”, which Mr Breuer was known as by his younger relatives.

Ms Curran left the role in 2021.

Nicky McWilliam (right), pictured here with Skye Leckie, is a witness in the case.

In 2022, an audit was performed on the gift transfers and revealed transfers to Mr Breuer’s dormant ANZ account.

The court was told that several family members reported never received the gifts.

On January 11, 2022, Ms McWilliam made contact with Ms Curran to inquire about the transfers.

Mr Noll outlined to the jury Ms McWilliam’s recollection of the conversations.

Ms Cheree Curran leaving the Downing Centre courts this week. Picture: Thomas Lisson.

Ms McWilliam recalled Ms Curran saying, “I will have to get advice. It involves public officials, tax issues, women and transactions that I am bound by confidentiality as an EA.”

On January 20, Ms Curran texted that if she discussed the transfers “I will be breaking a confidential bond I have”, the jury was told.

She would also be placing “the livelihoods of many people, both private and public officials in jeopardy”, the court heard.

“The business practices (of Mr Breuer) were at times stuck in the “1950s” (with) the types of deals that occurred …,” the court heard Ms Curran wrote.

Bruce McWilliam. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Ms McWilliam told police that at a January 31 meeting, Ms Curran said Mr Breuer could be up for “$1.5 million in. tax” if the nature of the transfers was revealed, the jury heard.

“Mr Breuer was always visited by people from his past,” the jury was told Ms Curran allegedly said.

“He would give them money. Sometimes cash cheques or paying off credit cards, free accommodation or cash in envelopes,” Ms Curran allegedly said.

“So many people are implicated,” Ms Curran allegedly said.

“I’m just trying to protect Mr Breuer. I will need whistleblower immunity if I am going to tell all,” she allegedly said.

“He was a virile man who had his needs.”

The case continues.