Ex-MasterChef contestant has $7.6m embezzlement case dropped

A former contestant on MasterChef Australia who was accused of using $7.6 million of his company’s money to fund a lavish lifestyle has had the claims against him dropped.

Aaron Thomas, who appeared in the first season of the reality-cooking show, was sacked earlier this year as Oakmont Resources CEO, a Brazilian iron ore mining producer he founded in 2010, over claims he embezzled company funds.

He was accused by the company’s shareholders of spending company cash on luxury charter jets and holidays for himself and partner Thaiana Rodrigues, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

He was also accused of using the money to buy Ms Rodrigues a Tiffany & Co engagement ring worth $US171,000.

The complaint, filed to the New York Supreme Court in June this year, also accused Mr Thomas of using the money to living in a rented luxury New York apartment at a cost of $14,500 per month, mining website, Mineweb Australia, reported in April.

It also alleged that Mr Thomas took control of the company’s UK bank accounts, denying the company’s financial officers and executive chairman and director. In January this year the company suspended Mr Thomas and undertook an investigation into allegations of “financial impropriety”, Mineweb said.

The claims against Mr Thomas were been dropped after parties reached a confidential settlement.

The Manhattan Supreme Court has listed the case as ‘discontinued with prejudice’, Fairfax Media said.

Mr Thomas’ lawyer Rob Garson told the paper the accused was satisfied that the “vexatious and baseless allegations” had been dismissed.

In line with the settlement, Mr Thomas will need to sell back his 25 percent stake in Oakmont to the company.

Mr Thomas appeared on the 2009 series of MasterChef which was won by fellow contestant Julie Goodwin.

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