Casey and Jamie Bryant plead not guilty to fraud-related Central Highlands Council charges

A Bothwell couple has pleaded not guilty to fraud-related charges, denying allegations they had funnelled more than $130,000 from the Central Highlands Council.

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A Bothwell couple has pleaded not guilty to fraud-related charges, denying allegations they had funnelled more than $130,000 from the Central Highlands Council.

Casey Maree Bryant, 37, appeared via telephone at Hobart Magistrates Court over 395 charges alleged to have happened between 2013 and 2020.

Jamie Glen Bryant, 39, also appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly on Tuesday over six counts of fraud.

According to court documents, police alleged Mrs Bryant and her husband had used council money to buy goods from companies like Harvey Norman, Bunnings Warehouse, Beaurepaires and Battery World.

Hobart Magistrates Court, Liverpool St. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

Mrs Bryant had also allegedly transferred money from the council into her bank account several times.

She appeared over 20 counts of fraud, 117 counts of inserting false information as data, 36 counts of using a computer with intent to defraud, 23 counts of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage, one count of stealing, 193 counts of computer related fraud and five counts of stealing by agent.

Hobart Magistrates Court, Liverpool St. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

Police prosecutor Ann Edge sought leave to withdraw 188 of the 193 counts of computer related fraud relating to one of the five United fuel cards alleged to have been used by Mrs Bryant and replace them with new charges relating to all five cards.

Mrs Bryant’s lawyerCraigRainbird said she could not attend court in person because she had cold and flu-like symptoms.

The court heard the fraud-related charges amounted to more than $130,000.

Mr Daly adjourned the couple’s matters to September 23.