News Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. EXCLUSIVE An executive assistant for one of the richest men in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is on trial accused of stealing almost $1.
3 million from his bank accounts in a case that is set to air the secrets of one of the city’s most powerful families. But Cheree Curran allegedly claimed her boss, Bellevue Hill property mogul Thomas Breuer, was a “virile man” who “had his needs” and that she transferred money on his orders him to “protect” him from women, “grifters” and “1950s” style business dealings that came back to haunt him, a jury has been told. Mr Breuer, a Hungarian holocaust survivor, moved to Sydney after World War II and spent decades building a business and property empire, which included a Bellevue Hill mansion that sold for $33 million.
Ms Curran was employed to manage invoicing and banking for Mr Breuer because he was “computer illiterate”, the jury was told. She has pleaded not guilty in the Sydney District Court to seven counts of obtaining a financial benefit by deception over police claims she siphoned $1.28 million to her own accounts over three years to fund spending on clothes, Apple products and other luxury goods.
Cheree Curren leaving the Downing Centre this week. Picture: Rohan Kelly Ms Curran’s lawyers Michael Smith SC and Paul McGirr told the jury the defence case will focus on whether Mr Breuer “had a motive to lie” and autho.