A Kerry man is among three people facing criminal charges for allegedly misappropriating charitable funds in Australia.
39-year-old Patrick Kelleher, who is originally from Rathmore, his wife Lisa, and another man are facing proceedings brought by the New South Wales consumer protection regulator.
They're accused of allegedly siphoning off over $180,000 (AUD) raised for a children's hospital.
The regulator, NSW Fair Trading, has begun criminal proceedings against Patrick Kelleher, Lisa Kelleher and James Keogh.
It alleges that the three individuals of Ace Competitions Ltd, converted for personal use, over $180,000 AUD, or over €107,000 (€107,586) in charitable funds raised for Sydney’s Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
Kerry native Patrick Kelleher and Mr James Keogh are listed as directors of Sydney based, Ace Competitions Ltd, while Mr Kelleher’s wife Lisa, is listed as manager.
The company which states on its social media accounts that it offers “life changing giveaways, exclusive discounts & more” rebranded online as Ace Premium in 2023.
It advertised a series of giveaways including a $100,000 draw in August 2024, as well as luxury car and holiday draws; It also states, it’s a “proud sponsor of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF)”.
The New South Wales regulator alleges that Mr and Mrs Kelleher and Mr Keogh misappropriated charitable funds, raised by selling online raffles offering prizes that were primarily exotic, luxury or high-performance vehicles.
Patrick Kelleher faces one charge of converting to his own use, money raised by means of a gaming activity, relating to the sum of $50,000, or just under €30,000 (€29,885).
If found guilty, under section 14 of the NSW Community Gaming Act 2018, he faces a maximum sentence in local court of two years imprisonment, or fines of over $11,000, or both.
Lisa Kelleher faces one charge relating to the sum of $17,500 (€10,463.25), while James Keogh faces three charges of siphoning $120,000 (€71,748).
It’s understood they will all appear before the court in Sydney next month.
