Auckland talent booker swindled $25K from marketing company

Alix Ashby began siphoning money from the company into her own accounts just weeks into the job. Photo / Supplied

The daughter of an Outrageous Fortune star has admitted to swindling cash from the marketing company where she worked - almost every week while in the job.

Alix Ashby, the daughter of actor Kirk Torrance, was employed by Brand Spanking - an "experiential marketing" company - as a talent booker from May 2011 to July 2012.

Only weeks into the job the 28-year-old began siphoning money into her own accounts, making it look as though she was paying contractors on behalf of the business.

By the time she suddenly stopped turning up for work more than a year later, she had stolen nearly $25,000.

Brand Spanking director Vivian Bryant said she felt betrayed by Ashby's actions.

Just months into the job, Ms Bryant said the woman was given bonuses, as well as a free trip to Australia - with spending money thrown in - to thank her for her "hard work".

Ashby initially denied the offending when interviewed by police but pleaded guilty in Auckland District Court to a charge of using a computer system for a dishonest purpose.

She will be sentenced next week when her lawyer Richard Keam will apply to have her discharged without conviction.

Ms Bryant said she would be "absolutely gutted" if Ashby walked away with a clean record.

"Someone could be victimised the same way we were and if it was a smaller company that wasn't able to reach into their pockets and cover that loss, they'd be destroyed," she said.

The company director was also disappointed the court had denied her wishes to read out a victim impact statement in open court and was now reluctant to attend the sentencing hearing.

Ashby's 13-month offending spree involved her making more than 50 payments to two of her own bank accounts while manipulating the computer system to make it seem as though the money was covering legitimate costs.

It is understood, at sentencing police will seek a reparation order for the full $24,610 Ashby stole.

Ashby's mother Erin Ashby previously owned August Models and Talent, which was fined $10,000 in 2010 when the Department of Labour prosecuted it for paying Shortland St extras less than the minimum wage.

The company - where it is understood Alix Ashby also worked as a talent booker - was eventually placed in liquidation the following year.