Bali bribe costs Vic man $40,000

A $9900 Bali holiday "gift" to get a supplier to open up earlier has ended up costing a Melbourne business owner $40,000.

Simon Edward Lee, 32, pleaded guilty to giving a secret commission to a supplier to get favourable treatment.

He was charged after a theft investigation into the supplier Robert Sarna, who managed the Laverton Middy's Electrical Supplies in Melbourne's west.

Lee, who operates a company that installs electrical devices and has a staff of 27, was fined $40,000 but escaped a conviction.

Magistrate Martin Grinberg said Lee had glowing references and he did not expect to see him before the courts again, but in cases such as these, general deterrence is paramount.

Lee's business turned over about $4 million last year, and Mr Grinberg noted rapid success sometimes led business owners to a false sense of belief in their own judgment.

"You have a number of responsibilities," Mr Grinberg told Lee on Wednesday.

"Some of those go beyond ensuring the profitability of the business.

"One such responsibility is to ensure you have good business practice."

The favourable treatment Lee received was that Sarna opened the Middy's branch early so Lee could run his business more efficiently.

The Sunshine Magistrates Court heard Sarna pleaded guilty to theft after stealing $30,000 from his own employer.

During Sarna's court proceedings a senior Middy's manager said it was common practice for a number of Middy's throughout Australia to accommodate their clients by opening earlier, the court heard.

Lee's lawyer Tim Schocker said the Bali holiday was a one-off transaction Lee had not received any benefit.