Lawyers representing a Melbourne accountant who defrauded his former employers to fund gambling and drug use say he may be bipolar. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
mental health claim
Lawyers representing an Australian accountant who has pleaded guilty to stealing A$1.5 million ($1.03 million) from two former employers to fund gambling and cocaine addiction have told a Victorian court that their client may be bipolar.
Victoria County Court heard on Monday that Adam Crowe, 43, had a psychiatric report indicating he had bipolar disorder.
Took over $710,000 ($490,171) from Melbourne River Cruises
An accountant and father of five is in remand after admitting to withdrawing over A$710,000 ($490,171) from Melbourne River Cruises between 2014-2017, and just over A$790,000 ($545,401) from a software and hardware solutions provider in Melbourne, onQ Digital, 2017 to 2020.
In October, Crowe pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. The court previously heard that the accountant used the money to fund his gambling and drug addiction, which began after his marriage broke down in 2012.
Escalating drug, gambling
Monday’s new development saw Crowe’s attorneys express intent to file new medical reports before sentencing. according to Western AustraliaJudge Duncan Allen questioned the discussed introduction to the new evidence, saying “Crowe had no history of depression or mania.”
In addition, the court heard that Crowe denied having any mental health conditions, despite using cocaine several times a week. As his cocaine habit worsened, so did his drug-related debts, leading Crowe to steal money from his employers into a fake petty cash account. The disgraced accountant hid the payments as legitimate transactions for items such as utilities, food, and alcohol.
in October, the sun mentioned That in order to pay off his skimming money, Crowe fell into a rising gambling addiction. Crowe’s lawyer said her client was betting daily via Sportsbooks Sportsbet, TAB and other apps, before hitting Crown Melbourne casino hours later four times a week in a bid to win big.
Formation of the prosecution of experts
Crowe will then appear in Victoria County Court on August 12. In response to Monday’s new defense maneuver, the prosecution in the case said it would present its own medical expert if a psychiatric report was filed on Crowe.
intense emotional stress
In October, Judge Allen said officials might consider Crowe before his crimes. “The sense of identity as a husband, breadwinner, and father is for many people a cause of intense emotional stress,” Judge Allen said.
