Winemaking brothers to face five-day court hearing

Two brothers will face court in Melbourne after being accused of defrauding more than $20 million during a six-year period.

Vincent Littore (pictured) and brother David are facing six and two charges respectively.

The court cases against a pair of well known winemaking brothers in Victoria’s Sunraysia region have been redirected to Melbourne, where they will face a five-day hearing.

Vincent and David Littore appeared in the Mildura Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after they were charged earlier this year following an investigation into an alleged $20 million fraud scheme.

In August, David Littore was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud and another of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Vincent Littore was also charged with conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and four counts of perjury.

The pair allegedly falsified a range of documents to an Australian bank, including cheques and loan documentation, between September 2010 and March 2016.

The investigation found the men had allegedly siphoned more than $20 million.

The brothers first appeared in court on September 17 where the matter was adjourned, before reappearing in the Mildura Magistrates’ Court on November 20.

Winery operators David Littore (pictured) and brother Vincent Littore are accused of a $20 million fraud.

Defence for both Littore brothers argued the case should be relocated to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court given its proximity to legal counsel, witnesses and expert witnesses expected to be called.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan granted the relocation, setting a special mention court date of April 28 next year and a five-day committal hearing from May 26-30, both of which are to be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

The Littore brothers run Jindalee Road Wines, located in the Murray Darling winegrowing region, and are believed to be among the biggest producers of white wine in Australia.

The two brothers, who served as co-managing directors since 2008, have conducted operations as Littore Family Wines.

In June this year the company had its export licence cancelled by Wine Australia after an investigation by its Label Integrity Program found that Jindalee Road Wines had failed to meet its record-keeping obligations established by the Wine Australia Act 2013.

It is one of only eight licences to be suspended or cancelled by Wine Australia in the last 10 years.

Originally published as Winemaking brothers to face five-day court hearing