SkyCity fraud accused pleads not guilty

Tessa Fiona Grant worked for Skycity for more than seven years during which time, it was alleged she stole $2.56 million. Photo / Supplied

A former SkyCity employee accused of stealing $2.6 million had pleaded not guilty to 49 fraud-related charges.

Tessa Fiona Grant worked for SkyCity for more than seven years during which time, it was alleged she stole $2.56 million.

She appeared in the Hamilton District Court this morning and entered a not guilty plea.

Grant stood sombrely in the dock during her first appearance.

Outside of the court house she refused to talk to media.

Hamilton community magistrate Ngaire Mascelle remanded Grant on bail until her next hearing on June 2.

Grant worked at SkyCity's Hamilton casino as finance manager between 2006 and 2013 when she was promoted to general manager.

Her contract was terminated in 2014.

The company earlier said it referred the matter to police after spotting a number of "financial irregularities" and an internal review found she was linked to some "unexplained transactions".