A former Launceston accountant facing charges involving more than $2.1 million has been ordered to appear in the Supreme Court for trial after pleading not guilty.
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James Redmond Burrows, 36, now of Hawthorn East, Victoria, appeared via video link for the sixth time in the Launceston Magistrates Court on a total of 338 charges.
Mr Burrows' defence counsel from Victorian firm Varasso Legal told the court an attempt at resolution had failed.
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"We actually tried to resolve the matter but it was rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions and there was no counter offer, not bottom line," she said.
"In that case, we will enter pleas of not guilty to all matters and continue to tray and resolve with the DPP."
Magistrate Sharon Cure bailed Mr Burrows to appear in the Supreme Court in Launceston for trial on June 14 at 10am.
Mr Burrows asked if the appearance would be via Zoom or in person and Ms Cure told him he would have to make arrangements himself with the Supreme Court.
Police allege Mr Burrows, through his role as a tax agent, misappropriated individual tax returns and falsified business activity statements for his financial benefit from September 2017 to March 2020.
After a joint investigation between the Tasmania Police and the ATO, the charges were laid.
Court documents show he is charged with 137 counts of fraud allegedly involving a total of $373,000 and 19 counts of stealing by misappropriation and stealing by an agent a total of $204, 800.
One fraud count involved $228.44 credited to a Sportsbet account.
Mr Burrows is charged with 122 counts of using a computer with intent to defraud involving a total amount of more than $1 million.
Companies allegedly defrauded by Mr Burrows include Launceston companies Simle Pty Ltd, nearly $200,000, Webber Holdings, more than $400,000, and Josh Hart Investments, more than $204,000.
The 28 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception allegedly involve amounts between $144 and $19,216 for a total of $185,000.
One count alleges Mr Burrows obtained a financial advantage by deception by lodging a false credit amount associated with an income tax return belonging to Blue Phoenix Super without their knowledge or consent. The alleged financial advantage of $19,216 was from the Australian Taxation Office.
Mr Burrows also faces 32 counts of inserting false information as data involving a total of $377,000.
The documents indicate that Mr Burrows used some allegedly fraudulent funds to repay other clients of his firm JRB Accounting.
Many of the offences were allegedly committed to pay the liabilities of Tasmania2GoPty Ltd-a company owned by a business couple which Mr Burrows had allegedly stolen from.
Mr Burrows allegedly charged one complainant $7200 for tax work not completed by him.
In November, Mr Burrows told Ms Cure he planned to put a plea deal together.
The court has heard previously that evidence comprises 24 binders of files and was provided on a hard drive because of the volume.
Mr Burrows first appeared in May last year, then June, August, October, and November.
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Nick Clark
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
