A court hears how former RSL president Don Rowe used a car allowance to pay off his mortgage and funded his wife and three children's mobile phones, as he faces charges of deception.
Former NSW RSL president Don Rowe knew how to use the system when he fraudulently used an RSL credit card to pay four family members' phone bills, a Sydney court has heard.A Sydney court heard the RSL had"a long history and culture of ineptness"The 71-year-old veteran, who was the state RSL president for 11 years, is facing two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Police prosecutor Karlo Haralovic said Rowe's behaviour prior to his resignation in 2014"was systemic"."He just continued on this, what we call a 'gravy train', until it ended." The court heard that in 2007 Rowe purchased a $60,000 car by extending his home loan. He then claimed the maximum RSL motor vehicle allowance of $1,600 a month to pay for it, meaning the RSL was effectively paying his mortgage."He benefitted paying off his car at a certain amount, and his home loan being paid off to his benefit."The court also heard Rowe paid cash to buy mobile phones for his wife and three children, then submitted their bills to the RSL for payment.
He sat impassively in court during the hearing and will reappear when a judgment is handed down next year.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Safety measures were in place at Ballarat trench collapse that led to men's deaths, court toldA committal hearing begins in the case against construction company Pipecon, following a trench collapse that led to the death of two men in Ballarat last year.
Read more »
Nicola Gobbo 'cries most days', but loses bid to avoid royal commission grillingThe former gangland lawyer has been ordered to give testimony over the phone in January, despite medical reports that say she cries most days.
Read more »
McLachlan told to apologise for grabbing actor by her face, court toldOne of the four female actors who accuse Craig McLachlan of indecent assault went to the production’s resident director one night in 2014 reporting that the Logie-winner had grabbed her face while the pair were in a scene together.
Read more »
Woman accused of shooting death of husband of 35 years said 'I can't take it anymore'A court hears a woman on trial for murder told a triple zero operator: I don't want him to die.
Read more »
Former Democratic front-runner ends bid to become presidentUS Senator Kamala Harris has withdrawn from the race for the Democratic nomination in 2020 after a promising start to her campaign.
Read more »
Elon Musk wrote contentious 'pedo guy' tweet 'off the cuff', court hearsTesla CEO Elon Musk says a 'pedo guy' tweet aimed a British cave diver who helped rescue a dozen boys in a Thai cave was an 'off the cuff' insult.
Read more »