Pokie addicted Fergusson Winery bookkeeper Kathryn Hemer avoids jail for $150,000 fraud
A devious bookkeeper who stole $150,000 from her Yarra Valley winery boss before dumping the cash on the pokies has hit the legal jackpot despite her victim’s anguish at the “significant” breach of trust.
Outer East
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A scoundrel bookkeeper who fleeced $150,000 from her Yarra Valley winery boss then poured the cash into the pokies has dodged a jail term.
Kathryn Hemer, 56, was sentenced in the County Court on Thursday to a two-year community correction order after pleading guilty to 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”.
Ms Fergusson said in her victim impact statement that the offending had caused her anguish and suffering.
Judge Frank Gucciardo said it was “grave” offending.
“This (breach of trust) was significant in my view,” Judge Gucciardo.
“It was theft conducted in a deceptive manner.”
Hemer was also ordered to undertake treatment for her gambling addiction and repay her victim.
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