news, local-news, Steelers Club, Scott Miles, Wollongong

Disgraced ex-Steelers general manager Scott Miles has been sentenced to at least two years behind bars for stealing up to $1 million from the club to fund an insatiable gambling habit. Judge Andrew Haesler said Miles' offending had been part of a course of conduct that spanned years and involved a substantial amount of money. He said both factors put the crime at a higher level of seriousness but noted Miles had pleaded guilty to a charge of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception at the first available opportunity and had already begun repaying the outstanding money. "He has signed a deed of release that his share of the family home will go to the club (as reparation)," he said. Miles’ penchant for online betting, and his need to feed that addiction, saw him fleece upwards of $800,000 from the Steelers Club over a seven year period while he was serving as the venue’s general manager. His scam wasn’t sophisticated but relied upon the trust bestowed in him by the club’s board of directors and what has been described as “loose governance” of club credit charges and cash payment forms. At times, he said the missing cash had been given to the St George Illawarra Dragons NRL side. Miles’ thievery came to light in January this year, partially by his own admission. Judge Haesler imposed an overall sentence of four years jail, which included a 25 per cent discount for his early guilty plea. Miles will be eligible for release on parole in December 2019 after serving the minimum term of two years. More to come

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/35ns5Wme2fedmBqQ6qZE6iD/1fb95c32-4e89-4fe5-aecc-f167dd5320f9.jpg/r0_3_1195_678_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg