Nigel Gleeson: Hearing set down for ex-Tailrace Centre employee charged with stealing $15K

A former employee of a popular Tasmanian wedding reception and events centre charged with 94 offences relating to allegedly dishonest refunds he processed to himself will appear in court next year for a two-day hearing.

Kings Meadows man Nigel Warren Gleeson, 53. Picture: Facebook

Charges against a former employee of a popular wedding and events centre in Tasmania’s North, who is alleged to have stolen more than $15,000 from his employer, have been listed for a two-day hearing in early 2024.

Kings Meadows man Nigel Warren Gleeson, 54, a former employee of Riverside’s Tailrace Centre, entered not guilty pleas in Launceston Magistrates Court earlier this year to 94 charges.

Mr Gleeson is charged with 47 counts of computer-related fraud, and 47 counts of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage.Tasmania Police allege the offending was committed between September 1, 2019 and October 31, 2021.

It is alleged in court documents that the defendant acquired a financial advantage by deceptively “processing a refund transaction to [himself] without authority” in amounts of between $27 and $440 on 47 occasions.

The total amount he is alleged to have fraudulently obtained is $15,171.36.On Tuesday, defence lawyer Grant Tucker, on brief from barrister Greg Richardson confirmed Mr Gleeson’s not guilty pleas were “maintained”.

His charges were adjourned for a two-day hearing on March 7–8, 2024.

The Mercury previously reported Mr Gleeson was a former long-term employee of the Australian Taxation Office, working from its Burnie office.

Worker allegedly defrauded wedding venue employer of $15K

June 15, 2023: A Tasmanian man has pleaded not guilty to defrauding his wedding venue employer of more than $15,000 over a period of more than two years.

Kings Meadows man Nigel Warren Gleeson, 53, a former employee of Riverside function venue Tailrace Centre, entered not guilty pleas in Launceston Magistrates Court last week via lawyer Mark Doyle to 94 charges.

Mr Gleeson is charged with 47 counts each of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage and computer-related fraud between September 1, 2019 and October 31, 2021.

Tasmania Police allege in court documents that the defendant acquired a financial advantage by deceptively “processing a refund transaction to [himself] without authority” in amounts of between $27 and $440 on 47 occasions.

The total amount he is alleged to have fraudulently obtained is $15,171.36.

Police allege in the court documents that Mr Gleeson sporadically transferred himself the refunds.

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They allege that in eight days between March 17–25, 2021, Mr Gleeson processed refunds on five separate days, transferring himself about $1200. On June 16 that year, he is alleged to have transferred himself $1000 over three refunds.

Other alleged refunds occur months apart, the documents state.

Mr Gleeson is a former long-term Australian Taxation Office employee who worked at the agency’s Burnie premises.

His 94 charges will next be mentioned on August 8.

The Tailrace Centre is operated by New Directions Community Church Inc, a Pentecostal aligned association that also administers the Tailrace Community Church.

The centre hosts functions such as weddings and corporate events and conferences, according to its website.

Originally published as Nigel Gleeson: Hearing set down for ex-Tailrace Centre employee charged with stealing $15K