Human Group’s Helen Rosamond pleads not guilty over alleged NAB fraud

A Sydney businesswoman faces 73 charges over alleged kickbacks that paid for holidays, houses and luxury cars.

Former Human Group director Helen Rosamond arriving at the Downing Centre court in Sydney in March. Picture: Nikki Short

The Sydney businesswoman accused of defrauding NAB of $26.7m has pleaded not guilty to 73 fraud and corruption charges but will not face trial until next year.

Helen Mary Rosamond is accused of conspiring with former NAB boss Andrew Thorburn’s chief of staff Rosemary Rogers to approve inflated contracts for the Human Group, an events business of which she was a director.

It is alleged that the 44-year-old paid Rogers dozens of secret commissions between 2013 and 2017 in return for securing the Human Group $40 million worth of contract approvals.

Alleged kickbacks included a $487,000 holiday in the US for eight people, a $380,000 house deposit, money for house renovations, and $187,000 European jaunt for Rogers’ family and friends, as well as holidays in Australia, a BMW X5 and a Chaparral boat.

Appearing by videolink in the NSW District Court on Friday, District Court Judge Dina Yehia arraigned Ms Rosamond in “shorthand form,” on the request of Ms Rosamond’s barrister Matthew Breeze, as formally reading out every indictment would have taken over an hour.

A stoic Ms Rosamond spoke only to confirm she understood the charges against her and to say: “Your honour, I plead not guilty.”

Mr Breeze indicated that he would make an application of separation of counts and an application of permanent stay in respect to “some or all” of the charges, which could delay proceedings.

Justice Yehia set the trial date for the 26 July next year, with a readiness hearing to occur on the 12 April and a mention to occur in March.

The trial is expected to take four months. Any trial could also provide an insight into the operation of NAB’s executive ranks during the period the alleged offences took place. NAB has co-operated with police through the investigation.

The setting of the date comes after Ms Rosamond last week attempted to wind back “unnecessary” bail conditions requiring her to visit King Cross Police station three times a week, asserting that she did not pose a flight risk.

The application was withdrawn after Judge Michael Adams proposed modifying her triweekly reporting schedule to one day in person and the other two days over the phone, with an added condition allowing the police to call her twice per day to ask her location.

Ms Rosamond’s barrister also attempted to adjourn the case for three weeks to find counsel, a request that was denied.

Ms Rosamond also faces civil action in the Supreme Court brought by NAB relating to the controversy.

In February alleged co-conspirator Ms Rogers pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining financial benefit by deception and is now awaiting sentencing on bail.