Former Victorian Liberal director Damien Mantach guilty over $1.5m theft

The former Victorian director of the Liberal party, Damien Mantach, has admitted stealing $1.5m in party funds.

Former Liberal Party director Damien Mantach, who appeared via videolink to plead guilty in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to all 44 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

The former Victorian director of the Liberal party, Damien Mantach, has admitted stealing $1.5m in party funds.

Mantach, who has been in custody since being charged in November, today appeared briefly via videolink to plead guilty in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to all 44 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

He was remanded in custody to appear before the Victorian County Court on May 6.

The Liberal Party has accused Mr Mantach of stealing the funds, with the charge sheet revealing the thefts started with $16,800 in 2010 and rising to $364,089.49 in January last year.

Lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, said the former Liberal party head was “intelligent and articulate” and had made full admissions.

Mr Mantach, from Ocean Grove on Victoria’s surf coast, wore a crisp white windcheater and appeared calm and spoke clearly.

The charges allege invoices were falsely made out to a company called Melbourne Mailing.

Some are alleged to have been paid for ‘campaign mail logistics”.

Mr Mantach has an extensive history with the Liberal Party in Tasmania, Victoria and Canberra, having worked directly and indirectly for senior figures, including former Howard minister Peter Reith.

He worked on three successful federal election campaigns and in 2005 succeeded his father, Brian, as the director of the Liberal Party in Tasmania.

He resigned in 2008 after being asked to repay $47,981 following allegedly inappropriate credit card use.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman and federal backbencher Eric Abetz were briefed on the scandal but Mr Mantach was cleared to join the Victorian division, where he rose to become State director.

The revelations of the alleged fraud have caused significant angst in the Victorian Liberal Party as it prepares to fight this year’s federal election.

It was uncovered by Liberal Party president Michael Kroger and has led to widespread anger within the party, which relies heavily on donations from mum-and dad party members.