Village Roadshow settles blockbuster $2.5m embezzlement lawsuit against one former execEntertainment giant Village Roadshow has settled its blockbuster civil embezzlement case against one of two former executives accused of splashing $2.5m of company funds on luxury cars, fuel, pricey hospitality and renovations for their family homes. A settlement with the other former senior executive in the case is understood to be imminent, despite a date for mediation being setfor December 9. Melbourne-headquartered Village operates Gold Coast theme parks Sea World, MovieWorld and Wet n Wild, as well as cinemas nationwide. Village sought the return of $859,009 from itsformer chief financial officer, Dean Humphreys, who it alleged authorised false invoices, with labels including “Sea World Administration Rectification” and “Fright Night Sheds” so the two executives could charge hundreds of thousands for renovations to their family homes. The other former high-flyer was accused of fleecing his boss to the tune of $1.8m – charging food, drinks and accommodation to SeaWorld Resort so dozens of his guests could stay and play on the Gold Coast for the weekend of his son’s wedding. He can only be referred to as “ABC” due to court orders that prevent his name, employment history, licence plates, children’s names and other specified details from being published. Village was seeking the return of ABC’s eye-watering $858,000 redundancy payout, claiming his conduct was a breach of his departure terms. ABC’s family home allegedly received more than $51,000 in custom Calcatta benchtops, with matte black cabinetry from lux builder King Kitchen Renovations, as well as premium kitchen appliances including a Neff integrated dishwasher and Smeg pyrolytic ovens, induction cooktop, and rangehood - all billed to Village Roadshow. The company also claims ABC obtained luxury cars - including three Audis and a Mitsubishi - for his personal use, acquiring some in exchange for hundreds of theme park tickets and others by having Village pay out their leases. Village’s claim, outlined in hefty court documents, also allege he stole and sold a Chevy truck used in the Aquaman movie – with him and his wife posting photos of themselves cruising around in it to social media. Village facilitated the confidentiality orders despite not protecting more than 30 Village staff and others – who are not accused of wrongdoing – who are publicly named in the company’s evidence. The ultimate amounts of the settlements are likely to be subject to confidentiality clauses. Village co-CEO Clark Kirby is understood to have taken a six-month sabbatical from the company founded by his grandfather, leaving co-CEO Peter West, appointed by the group’s majority owner BGH Capital, at the helm. The company has dumped development plans at one of its theme parks as its losses blew out by more than 54 per cent last financial year. https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/business/village-roadshow-settles-blockbuster-25m-embezzlement-lawsuit-against-one-former-exec/news-story/94cfce04728ca22fc119a579a47e2f3c?fbclid=IwRlRTSAVjSzpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUSK1JzfvaNGmKbDyVdciVXQThTNz0HNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR9dNIyw8xly1wK4SH8T4x9uQTo3Z-J7T4iXiMqKHtqnLGcnT8j0c7wjJWieTQ_aem_t6dml46MEo06RdabDCpuDg