Former Coles executive Aaron Baslangic accused of stealing almost $2m

A former Coles executive charged with stealing almost $2 million from his employer used some of the money to pay for a luxury BMW, the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court has heard.

Former Coles executive Aaron Baslangic. Picture: Instagram

Disgraced former Coles employee Aaron Baslangic used fake invoices to steal almost $2m from his employer over a five-month period, a court has heard, using some of the money to pay for a luxury BMW.

The former head of strategic initiatives at Coles Online was arrested on Friday. He was not required to enter a plea and sat quietly during his hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

The offences are believed to have occurred over a five-month period from March to July, with the largest single transaction totalling more than $413,000, according to court documents.

Some were made under the guise of approving payments to external companies such as luxury car retailer BMW.

He is also accused of having Coles pay almost $100,000 to the Australian Taxation Office, which he then had transferred into a personal bank account.

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Another payment billed to Coles on April 5 for $5670 appeared to be for his rent, according to police charge sheets.

It was also alleged he funnelled money into his personal Westpac account.

Magistrate Susan Wakeling told Mr Baslangic he must live at his Sandringham home,

he was barred from making contact with the prosecution’s witnesses and he must not visit any international departure points.

The case will return to court in November.