Five additional charges have been laid against a Riverina cattle breeder accused of defrauding farmers of more than $2.5 million by on-selling animals that did not exist, were dead or had already been sold.
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Corey Dean Ireland, of Kyeamba, was arrested in April following a police investigation into the suspected fraudulent sale and trading of cattle in the region.
The Strike Force Seger investigation, led by the Rural Crime Prevention Unit, was formed in April 2019 after a series of reports were made to police.
Mr Ireland, 45, was initially charged with eight counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
He has since been charged with five additional counts of the same offence.
Mr Ireland is yet to enter pleas to any of the charges.
The matter was mentioned in Wagga Local Court yesterday by Wagga solicitor Zac Tankard on behalf of Sydney-based law firm Foulsham & Geddes. Mr Ireland was not required to appear.
The court heard the brief of evidence had been served. However, due to the significant amount of material related to the case, the matter was adjourned to allow negotiations to continue.
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The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which is responsible for prosecuting more serious offences that are traditionally heard in higher courts, took over the case in August.
Court documents state Mr Ireland allegedly entered business agreements with a number of farmers regarding the purchase, management or agistment of cattle, and obtained a financial advantage by selling or otherwise disposing of the animals.
Police allege Mr Ireland on-sold cattle that did not exist, were deceased prior to purchase or had been on-sold without their knowledge.
Each of the alleged offences ranged in value from $45,000 to $605,000.
According to court documents, one of the additional charges relates to a business agreement Mr Ireland is accused of entering into with a person regarding a short-term loan.
Police allege he dishonestly stated the terms for the loan and failed to adhere to its conditions, creating a financial advantage for himself to the value of $150,000.
Another of the fresh charges relates to lease payments on a Gobbagombalin property and the signing of a bill of sale of animals agreement negating his debt, creating a financial advantage to the value of $103,129.
Investigators searched a rural property at Kyeamba last December, seizing computers and documentation.
More than 400 Angus cows and calves were also inspected.
The case returns to court in February.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
