Hotel chief jailed for stealing money to fund secret double life
A HOTEL manager who stole almost $700,000 to fund a secret fantasy world full of male prostitutes, fancy dinners and intimate getaways has been jailed.
Former Radisson Hotels financial controller Gary Robert Johnson stole the cash from the chain’s Melbourne hotel, then splashed out on escorts, a personal trainer, and even a flash Crown Casino party.
The 57-year-old sobbed as he was marched into custody today at the County Court as one of his two daughters and friends watched on.
For some in court, who described Johnson as an upstanding citizen and family man, it was the first time they had heard the full shocking details of his secret double life.
He had started stealing from the hotel in 2007, two years after being hired, transferring cash amounts to himself from the company’s accounts.
He used the money to pay for prostitutes, join escorts on holidays and host a $15,000 50th birthday bash for himself at Crown’s up-market Villa suites.
One escort was paid $199,000 for services directly from the hotel’s accounts.
In total, Johnson snatched $681,000 from the hotel before his offending was uncovered by general manager Steve Finlayson, who ordered a review of the hotel’s accounts.
For the first time there was an issue in relation to the hotel’s financial position, and Mr Finlayson wanted to know why.
Johnson’s thefts were uncovered, he resigned, and was ultimately charged with more than 300 offences — one for every transfer he made during his seven-year scam.
In a civil suit brought before he was charged, the hotel recovered $100,000 from Johnson. An insurance claim saw the balance of the missing funds recovered.
Johnson was ultimately charged and today pleaded guilty to eight counts of theft.
The court heard Johnson’s wife had died shortly after he was charged, a tragedy he blamed on the humiliation and shame he had brought to the family.
Explaining the offending, his lawyer told Judge Irene Lawson a health scare in 2006 had led to Johnson attempting to “live out his dreams before he died”.
But Johnson knew it was only a matter of time until he got caught, and took no steps to conceal his thefts.
In emotional evidence, Johnson’s daughter Sarah said her dad had been an amazing father who had showered his kids with affection.
“(It was) the perfect upbringing. We had the perfect mum and dad,” she said.
“We always got the best of everything. They were just the best mum and dad.”
Johnson had fought to stay out of jail, but prosecutors argued the offending was too serious.
Judge Lawson agreed, saying Johnson had stolen purely to pay for his self-indulgent lifestyle.
He will be sentenced on Friday.
Source: Herald Sun, Shannon Deery, 2nd September 2015
Originally published as: Hotel chief jailed for stealing money to fund secret double life
