Well-known ‘Good Samaritan’ and founder of CrashClaim Accident Management, Nick Karagiannis, has pleaded guilty to secretly defrauding his former employer out of half a million dollars.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, while working as general manager with former employer Suttons Motor Group in Homebush, Karagiannis “juggled” money and caused a financial disadvantage of $475,675 to the company between 2016 and 2019.
The “juggling” involved organising for customers to pay for cars through his personal bank account and reimbursing his employer from his own account. Karagiannis wasn’t able to catch up with those repayments and his debt grew.
In an interview with NSW Police after they were notified, Karagiannis said the accounts team knew what he was doing and many people had their “finger in the pie.” He said he gained no financial advantage, but admitted to owing money.
“I think I owe around $450,000… half a million dollars,” he said.
Since being fired by Suttons, Karagiannis founded CrashClaim Accident Management and became well-known in the Greek community for many brave and philanthropic acts. He has also been awarded an Australian Bravery Decoration.
After pleading guilty to dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, Karagiannis will be sentenced in November.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
