| Michael Roth had a career change after he was charged with defrauding Macquarie Bank of more than a million dollars. |
Former Macquarie Bank manager Michael Roth committed frauds while feeling 'unbeatable', court told.
Roth had worked in the 2000s as the bank's national manager in charge of novated sales. Now he does "very physical work" for a wooden pallet company, repairing up to 600 pallets in a shift.
"I love the work and it's helped me out immeasurably," he told his sentence hearing at the Downing Centre District Court on Friday.
Roth pleaded guilty early on to 10 fraud offences committed between 2004 and 2012. He had carried out the frauds by placing his own personal bank account number on company leasing documents for items such as cars and medical equipment.
A further 24 frauds, while not recorded as convictions, were taken into account by Judge Julia Baly.
The court heard Roth had had problems with gambling, alcohol and drugs during his offending. He continued to suffer from anxiety and bipolar disorder but was receiving treatment from a range of specialists.
He was undergoing cognitive behavioural therapy and taking daily medication that made him feel sick if he drank alcohol.
"I don't drink and I've reconnected with my children, even though I've split up with my wife," Roth said. "I think I'm generally a better person." But he admitted to recent fears that he may relapse.
His defence lawyer, Ross Hudson, said his client's bipolar disorder had given him the feeling he was "unbeatable".
Representing the Crown, solicitor V. Garrity said Roth may have been suffering bipolar disorder but it did not appear to have contributed to his "not unsophisticated" crimes.
"The highs and lows are somewhat at odds with the pattern of offending, which was very regular and very well planned," Ms Garrity said.
"The offender during that time not only had a successful career but a flourishing career."
The Crown said Roth had passed rigorous psychometric testing before he was employed at Macquarie Bank and had committed the crimes over a long period of time. As for the size of the frauds, "we are talking about a significant amount of money," Ms Garrity said.
Judge Baly said she would not sentence Roth to more than two years' jail. She adjourned the sentencing to December so Roth could be considered for an intensive corrections order that would allow him to be punished in the community rather than jail.
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