Company director charged with more than 50 counts of bribery in an alleged corporate fraud scandal

A company director is facing more than 50 bribery charges after being accused of being involved in a $40million corporate fraud scandal.

Events and human resources company Human Group director Helen Rosamond was arrested at her home in Potts Point, an inner Sydney suburb, on Friday at around 9am by specialist detectives.

Police claim she was involved allegedly corrupt commissions that are said to have seen her company offer over-inflated invoices to the National Australia Bank (NAB).

Human Group director Helen Rosamond (pictured left) was arrested at her home in Potts Point an inner Sydney suburb on Friday around 9am by specialist detectives

The 43-year-old was taken to Kings Cross police station for further questioning and she was subsequently charged with 58 offences.

The businesswoman was charged with 56 counts of corruptly give agent benefit, and one count each of obtain benefit by deception and attempt fraud.

Human Group was a former contractor for NAB, and it’s understood the deal was worth around $40 million over a five-year period.

Strike Force Napthali detectives, a unit specially set up to investigate the allegedly fraudulent claims, will allege Rosamond spent more than $6.6 million to cover personal expenses for others.

The 43-year-old (pictured, left) was taken to Kings Cross police station for further questioning and she was subsequently charged with 58 offences

She is alleged to have covered the expenses in order to maintain a professional contract with a client between 2013 and 2017. 

The relationship between Ms Rosamond and former NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn’s former chief-of-staff, Rosemary Rogers, is at the centre of the investigation, reported The Sunday Morning Herald.

Ms Rogers has not been arrested or charged, but last month Supreme courts in New South Wales and Victoria issued freezing orders for her bank accounts and assets.

Mr Thorburn is not suspected of any criminal activity.

Ms Rosamond has been refused bail and is due to appear in Central Local Court, in Sydney city centre on Friday.

In February 2018, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad established Strike Force Napthali to investigate allegations of corrupt commissions.

Police confirmed that as part of their investigation, detectives executed more than 20 search warrants in New South Wales and Victoria.

A large amount of documents and electronic storage devices were seized during searches.

The seized items then underwent significant analysis by specialist forensic accountants.

In the wake of the allegations against Ms Rosamond, an NAB spokesperson issued a statement stating that no one at NAB was under investigation. 

‘The alleged fraud was reported by a whistleblower. NAB responded immediately, investigated and reported it to police.

(File picture) Police claim she was involved in the activity which saw corrupt commissions paid for contracts to the National Australia Bank

‘If the alleged fraud is proven, it represents a most serious breach of trust by a former employee,’ the statement read.

‘We continue to cooperate fully with police and we thank them for their important work in investigating this matter.

‘NAB is the victim in this matter. Police have confirmed that no one at NAB is under investigation, including former CEO Andrew Thorburn, and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by anyone at NAB.

‘While this remains before the court it is not appropriate for us to comment further,’ the statement concluded.

Strike Force Napthali are continuing to investigate and further arrests and charges are expected to be made.