Alison Muller, of Wattamolla Road, Woodhill appeared in a civil case brought by Lawn Lovers Australia Pty Ltd and Lawn Solutions Australian Group Pty Ltd and its associated companies at Jaspers Brush.

The court heard Ms Muller, who had been employed as a sub-contract in-house accountant between 2010 and 2014, and traded as Jovuli Pty Ltd, had taken more than $180,000 across several company entities she managed. 

The statement of claim before the court stated on 46 occasions she knowingly transferred money from the company’s bank accounts to her own, and recorded entries in the accounting journal to hide the payments.

She allegedly also created a new version of all tax invoices by manipulating the system clock on a laptop.

The court heard on 45 occasions the money was transferred to accounts to pay down a credit card in her and her husband’s names and recorded entries in the accounting journal to hide the payments.

The court also heard on six occasions she transferred money from the accounts to pay credit cards when accounts were overdrawn.

For Turfco shareholders Gavin and Sue Rogers the fraud and subsequent costs to fight the civil case almost sent them to the wall.

But the couple were determined to pursue the case as a matter of principle.

“I started the Turfco business in 1988 as a crazy 20-year-old and this has been our toughest and saddest year,” Mr Rogers said.

Mr Rogers said he noticed an anomaly with five of the company’s invoices.

Subsequently a forensic accountant’s report presented to the court stated Ms Muller had falsified invoices and had transferred money from the company’s account to her own under the guise of claiming an incentive agreement.

“Sue and I were close to shutting the doors in the months after discovering the deceit and missing funds and had to make the tough decision to either let it go or borrow what we were told would be up to $400,000 to take the matter to the civil court.

“By December our costs had already reached $200,000. We were out of money.

“We had to make a decision about the future of the businesses and whether we could personally and financially continue on.”

As Berry’s largest agricultural employer, with 35 employees across the group, Mr Rogers said shutting the doors was not an option.

“The case went before the court last week, all facts in the claim were admitted to and judgment was given 100 per cent in our favour and she was also ordered to pay costs,” Mr Rogers said.