Fergusson Winery bookkeeper Kathryn Hemer stole $150K, blew cash on the pokies
A scoundrel bookkeeper at a popular Yarra Valley winery fleeced almost $150,000 from her former employer which blew on the pokies. The fraudster admitted her crimes but not without giving her ex-boss a passing shot.
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A scoundrel bookkeeper fleeced $150,000 from her Yarra Valley winery boss then poured the cash into the pokies.
Kathryn Hemer, 56, pleaded guilty in the County Court to two rolled up charges of obtaining property by deception.
Hemer was a bookkeeper for Fergusson Winery when she rorted $147,586 between October 2014 and November 2017.
The fraudster manipulated accounting software to make 55 bogus transactions before funnelling the cash into bank accounts she controlled.
Hemer’s skulduggery was uncovered by an accounting firm in July 2019.
The fraudster, who worked for Fergusson Winery between 2009-2017, was interviewed by police in December last year.
Hemer admitted her crimes, telling police she had “tricked” the accounting system to transfer money to herself.
Hemer also said the winery’s owner Louise Fergusson was a “lovely woman” who was also “deceptive herself”.
Hemer, a mother from Mooroolbark, also said the workplace at the Dixon’s Creek winery was “septic”.
The court was told Hemer blew most of the cash on gambling which she had taken up because she was “lonely”.
It was submitted Hemer mostly played the pokies while at the local pub.
Hemer also admitted spending money on “spiralling” credit card debts and “living beyond her means”.
Judge Frank Gucciardo extended Hemer’s bail for sentencing on October 22.
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