Office love triangle break-up cost Oz businessman 40k dlrs

MELBOURNE - Breaking up with two employees has cost an Aussie businessman a whopping 40,000 dollars, after the girls he was dating used company money to buy themselves cars.

The Brisbane District Court heard that Rhett Ogston, who owns the Qi Health Clinic in Brisbane, specifically told Anna Marie Ebzery and Cassandra Ann James on a number of occasions they were not to buy the cars.

Ogston had originally intended to buy two branded cars for the business but he changed his mind and instructed the two women - who were his girlfriends and employees - not to proceed with the purchase, the court was told.

However, prosecutor Chris Minnery said when the relationships between the three soured in 2008, the women defied his authority and used 40,000 dollars in company money to buy two cars for themselves.

Ogston told the court he had been openly dating both of his employees since 2006, but that his relationship with Ebzery, 41, ended in early 2008.

“Whether it was out of bitterness, spite or revenge, Ms Ebzery took the opportunity to get something out of the business, and that wasn’t authorised,” news.com.au quoted Minnery as saying on the first day of her trial.

Ebzery has pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud as an employee to the value of 30,000 dollars or more.

On the other hand James’ case will be dealt with at a later date.

The trial continues. (ANI)