Billionaire philanthropist's ex-secretary accused of stealing $1.7m secures bail

Sydney billionaire Judith Neilson's ex-secretary Annalouise Spence bailed while facing fraud charges Thu 18 Jun 2026 at 3:45pm In short: Annalouise Spence will be confined to home detention while facing fraud charges, as part of a series of strict bail conditions. The 54-year-old is accused of using Judith Neilson's American Express cards to steal money while she worked as her secretary. What's next? Ms Spence is being supported by her husband, who will provide the million-dollar bail surety. A former employee of billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson has been granted bail on strict conditions, after allegedly defrauding her boss of more than $1.7 million by using her credit cards for personal luxuries. Annalouise Spence is accused of using Dr Neilson's American Express cards to steal money and fund an extravagant lifestyle, including clothes, jewellery and goods, first-class overseas airfares and a 50th birthday party. The 51-year-old, who was a secretary at the Judith Neilson Foundation, was initially denied bail in April following her arrest and a police raid of her home in Sydney's inner west. She is facing 82 counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, but the Supreme Court heard on Thursday she is set to be charged with a further 46 counts, taking the number of charges to 128. It has been alleged the funds were taken over a period of five to six years, without Dr Neilson's knowledge. Custom napkins, rose-gold Rolex among alleged buys The court attendance notice, released to the ABC, details the extent to which Ms Spence is alleged to have used her boss's funds, after starting as her executive assistant in March 2017. Prosecutors will allege Ms Spence began making fraudulent purchases with Dr Neilson's National Australia Bank credit cards in late 2019. But in February 2023, the philanthropist was approved for an Amex Centurion card, an exclusive invitation-only credit card account issued in Dr Neilson's name. Prosecutors will allege Ms Spence then used Dr Neilson's email to approve an additional card in her own name and told the finance team at the Judith Neilson Institute they "did not need to see" Ms Neilson's personal purchases. With no other oversight of the account, Ms Spence is alleged to have bought hundreds of items. Her first allegedly fraudulent purchase was at a cashmere store, where she bought some clothing and slippers in December 2019, but her final purchase was a rose-gold Rolex for her husband Adam Spence, at a cost of $58,593. Among the items allegedly bought on the cards were designer shoes, designer luggage tags, artworks, a bespoke $14,900 diamond ring, a $15,000 custom racing bike, and 320 custom napkins embroidered with the initials AS for her 50th birthday last year. 'There is no budget' In March 2023, tickets to see The Cure in Seattle and Los Angeles, as well as first class flights to get there, were charged to the card at a cost of $29,118. Ms Spence allegedly booked the trip through Amex Centurion and sent them an email during the booking process. "Thanks very much! The very best you can get — there is no budget," her email read. The court documents said Ms Spence left the Judith Neilson Foundation in mid-2025 after a review found her role was not necessary. It was only when a new assistant was hired that unusual charges were spotted in Dr Neilson's credit card statements. A total 115 items were taken from Ms Spence's Erskineville home in the April raid, with further items seized from a storage unit and a holiday home in Tasmania. Partial repayments made Ms Spence appeared in the Supreme Court via video link from prison, as her defence lawyer applied for bail for a second time. Prosecutors told the court Ms Spence's alleged crimes were very serious, and she had made partial admissions, including paying back $920,000 of what was taken. Defence submissions released by the court said Ms Spence's husband had paid $840,708 of that from his own assets. Judge Paul Maguire said he was satisfied the crown case was "very strong", and that there was evidence Ms Spence had changed an oversight process to fraudulently use Dr Neilson's credit card, indicating "some albeit limited sophistication and planning". He told the court the former secretary would likely face jail time if she pleads or is found guilty and said he was satisfied her risk of offending was low with strict bail conditions. Million-dollar bail surety Ms Spence will be released from Dillwynia Correctional Centre but will be confined to home detention, and only allowed to leave with certain family members, to report to police daily or to seek psychological treatment. She cannot travel overseas or outside of New South Wales, must not drink alcohol and must not contact Dr Neilson or anyone at the foundation. She was being supported by her husband, who would provide the $1 million bail surety, the court heard. The court heard Ms Spence was seeking psychological treatment, including a residential rehabilitation stint, and that she would be better able to get treatment while on bail. Dr Neilson has appeared on the Australian Financial Review's Rich List, and has founded the Judith Neilson Institute which supports journalism, as well as registered charity the Judith Neilson Foundation that assists disadvantaged communities in Africa and Australia.