Damien Luscombe charged following an investigation into allegations of fraud

A music industry accountant has been accused of ripping off high-profile clients including Amy Shark, Peking Duck and Angus and Julia Stone.

An internal investigation allegedly found large discrepancies in the accounts of clients, including Amy Shark. Picture: Jane Dempster

A music industry accountant who gave evidence in support of Guy Sebastian against his former manager for fraud has himself been charged for allegedly ripping off millions from Australian artists.

Damien Luscombe, a former partner and senior executive at music business and accounting firm White Sky, was on Wednesday charged with a range of offences including obtaining financial advantage by deception and using false documents.

He was suspended from the Collingwood-based firm in October after an internal investigation allegedly found large discrepancies believed to involve up to $2.2m over a 11-year period in the accounts of clients including Amy Shark, Peking Duck and Angus and Julia Stone.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed a 38-year-old South Morang man had been charged and would face court next month.

Damien Luscombe has been charged with a range of offences.

Singer Amy Shark was among Mr Luscombe’s clients.

“Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad have charged a man following an investigation into allegations of fraud relating to the management of a Collingwood-based business between 2011-2022,” they said.

Ironically, Mr Luscombe gave crucial evidence in the high profile trial of Guy Sebastian’s former manager Titus Day who was last year jailed for 2½ years after he was found guilty of ripping off $620,000 from the Australian Idol winner.

Day last year confirmed to the Herald Sun that his lawyers would be following the investigation of Mr Luscombe “with keen interest”.

“They will be liaising with the Victorian police in the coming weeks and as their investigation unfolds,” Day said at the time.

Some sources questioned whether Luscombe’s alleged actions could jeopardise Day’s conviction given “one of the key witnesses is now being accused of being a thief himself”.

Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde from Peking Duck. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Angus and Julia Stone. Picture: Supplied

Industry insiders last year told the Herald Sun Mr Luscombe had allegedly been “duping invoices” with payment details made to his personal accounts.

They allege he “got sloppy” over time and was believed to have been motivated to pay off large gambling debts.

Gotye, Tim Minchin and Vance Joy were among White Sky’s clients informed of Mr Luscombe’s alleged offending.

White Sky provides services including royalty accounting, book keeping and business management to hundreds of clients including many of Australia’s best-selling acts.

White Sky founder Tom Harris is said to have been instrumental in pushing the internal investigation and contacting police.

The firm declined to comment.

Mr Luscombe was bailed and will appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 1.