Masterchef Contestant In Hot Water
April 2, 2014, 11:38 am Kochie's Business Builders Yahoo!
Aaron Thomas has been accused of embezzling $7.6 million.
Masterchef Contestant In Hot Water After Embezzlement Accusations
Former MasterChef season one contestant Aaron Thomas has been accused of embezzling over $7.6 million, a new lawsuit claims.
The 26-year-old from Brighton, Victoria, is alleged to have used money from his own company, Oakmont Trading Ltd, to fund a lavish lifestyle.
The lawsuit outlines Thomas’s extravagant spending over the last three years, including private jets, a luxury yacht, Rolex watches and a $185,000 Tiffany engagement ring for his fiancée Thaiana Rodrigues.
Source: News Limited.
“During a Caribbean vacation in Turks & Caicos for himself, Rodrigues, and members of Rodrigues’ family, Thomas chartered a luxury yacht and private jet for his travel companions at a cost of over $30,000, both of which were paid for with Oakmont funds,” the lawsuit stated.
It also says he proceeded to sell 74 per cent of the company’s stock to investors.
New York-based Thomas founded Oakmont Trading Ltd in 2010, which owns and operates a Brazilian iron ore mine. He was fired by the board of Oakmont in January after information about his embezzlement became apparent.
The company has launched legal action in both the UK and the US to recover an estimated $7 million of its money.
“While Thomas has made some disclosures as to the whereabouts of the misappropriated funds, a sum of around ($2.5 million) remains unaccounted for,” the suit stated.
In the Manhattan Supreme Court, the ore company also says Thomas spent $US91,000 in company money in Las Vegas in May last year, spent $US121,500 on luxury watches and $US14,500 a month on rent for a Manhattan apartment.
After MasterChef, Thomas scored an apprenticeship at judge George Calombaris’ restaurant, followed by a job at restaurant The Gazebo on Arthur’s Seat.
Thomas told the New York Post the lawsuit was an attempt by the company board to get his remaining shares and vowed to file a countersuit.
It's a very grey area where personal and business expenses get entwined, so let this be a lesson for accurate accounting practices at your outfit!
Main Photo Credit: We Heart It
