Collingwood players drawn into alleged high-roller Crown casino ‘sting’

A CASINO high-roller accused of a multi-million-dollar embezzlement used Collingwood players to befriend fellow club members who then became her targets, court hears.

Maureen Johnston Magpies fan. Maureen is geared up for the game against Adelaide on Saturday at the MCG.

A CASINO high-roller accused of duping fellow gamblers in a multi-million-dollar international embezzlement was gambling tens of thousands of dollars as one of Crown’s most valued clients.

Maureen Johnston has been accused of using players from the Collingwood Football Club, including Andrew Krakouer, to strike up friendships with fellow club members who then became her targets.

Police and Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigators have charged Mrs Johnston and her husband, Doug, with dozens of fraud offences, after a long investigation of what they say is a property development scam that netted $1.5 million.

Sources have told the Herald Sun Mrs Johnston is a member of the exclusive “Black Room”, an invitation-only club where Crown’s biggest spenders can play pokies.

Former Collingwood player Andrew Krakouer was allegedly used by Mrs Johnston to strike up friendships.

Maureen Johnston allegedly used her Magpies contacts to groom more victims.

Sources say she enjoyed exclusive access to casino clubs, free food and drink, and members-only concierge services.

She would have been required to spend a minimum sum every six months in order to retain access to the club.

It is alleged she fooled fellow big-spending gamblers into investing large sums in bogus property developments here and in the US.

Those who claim to have fallen victim say she preyed on fellow Collingwood Football Club members, using that bond to form friendships.

In a statement to police, one said Mrs Johnston wooed her over dozens of dinners and at a meeting with Krakouer before duping her out of thousands.

Mrs Johnston is understood to be a member of Crown’s exclusive “Black Room”.

Mrs Johnston is facing 52 fraud-related charges in a prosecution brought by ASIC; her husband faces 25 charges.

She is also facing a string of separate criminal charges.

Mrs Johnston, who is suffering from cancer, did not appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

She has previously failed to appear three times; Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg ordered she appear in person at the next hearing on January 28.

But she was expected to be present in court tomorrow, when police push on with the criminal case against her.