Grandfather jailed for stealing over $2 million from employer

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A 70-year-old grandfather has been jailed for stealing more than $2 million from his employer.

Richard Gordon Mackenzie pleaded guilty to one count of stealing as a clerk or servant in Brisbane District Court last month.

The court heard Mackenzie was well respected in the cleaning industry when he took on a consultant's role with an Underwood commercial cleaning business.

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He took over daily management of the company when the owner took ill in 2013/14.

But it was when the company moved to online banking that the theft began, with Mackenzie also in charge of the bank transfers.

The court heard that over a three-year period Mackenzie transferred $2.3 million to his own business accounts, personal accounts and family trust from the company's account.

He used 65 transactions to make the payments which remained undetected until the company received a significant tax bill.

The court heard a significant amount of the money went to Mackenzie's now-defunct trailer business.

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The business owner and her daughter have been severely financially impacted as a result of Mackenzie's actions and it has taken significant work to get the company back on its feet, according to a victim impact statement tendered to the court.

In sentencing, Judge John Allen said Mackenzie "had a very responsible and trusted position which (he) exploited".

He called the size of theft "breathtaking" telling Mackenzie, "You should be thoroughly ashamed of your serious dishonesty".

The 70-year-old grandfather was sentenced to seven years' jail.

He'll be eligible for parole in two years.

Prior to this offending, the court heard Mackenzie had a clean criminal record.

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Source: 9News