Mum facing new $200k theft claim
BOOKKEEPER ON 84 CHARGES
A TORQUAY mum is accused of stealing more than $200,000 from Geelong Arts Centre, with police alleging she used the money to spend big on clothing, holidays and restaurants.
Lisa Trison, 38, was employed as a bookkeeper at the centre when it is alleged she swindled the money over a nine-month period between 2019 and early 2020.
Geelong Magistrates Court heard Ms Trison — also known as Lisa Tyssen — allegedly landed the job after providing a fake police check.
Details of the case surfaced in court on Thursday as Ms Trison applied for bail.
The mother of one has been in custody since late November when detectives charged her with 84 offences, mostly relating to fraud.
The court heard the charges were laid after the arts centre conducted an internal audit following a Geelong Advertiser article about Ms Trison in March 2020.
The article revealed Ms Trison allegedly stole $100,000 while employed at two other businesses in Geelong.
The Torquay woman, who is yet to enter a plea to those charges, was on bail while working at Geelong Arts Centre.
Detective Senior Constable Kevin Beaumont said Ms Trison allegedly used a similar method to siphon funds from all three workplaces.
According to police, the total amount she stole from the arts centre was $215,343.
Constable Beaumont said an analysis of Ms Trison’s spending indicated the alleged fraud was fuelled by a desire to improve her lifestyle.
He said large sums of money were spent on travel, clothing, restaurants and luxury items.
The detective opposed Ms Trison being granted bail, stating he believed she was an unacceptable risk of further offending.
“I believe the evidence is strong in all three matters,” Constable Beaumont said.
“Twice the accused has offended whilst on bail for serious deceptions, (she has) continued to obtain work in the same manner and brazenly diverted funds into her account in her own name.”
Defence barrister Amie Hancock has proposed Ms Trison be bailed to a drug rehabilitation facility in Hervey Bay, Queensland.
The bail hearing will continue on Tuesday.