Justin Hemmes’ former construction boss has admitted to fleecing Merivale of $230,000 but has applied to have the matter dealt with on mental health grounds.
Joel Cheeseman, 30, faced Downing Centre Local Court deputy registrar Nicole Hoffmann on Wednesday morning, pleading guilty to a charge of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage or causing disadvantage by deception.
Joel Cheeseman entering the Downing Centre on Wednesday.Credit:Nine Media
Police allege that between August 2017 and October 2018 he authorised fake invoices totalling almost $230,000 to be paid by Merivale into his bank account on five separate occasions.
His lawyer, Jason Hanna, asked for the matter to be adjourned to August 21 so that a mental health assessment of his client could be undertaken.
