A former attorney in the Free State has appeared in court for allegedly defrauding a law firm of more than R16m.
The Hawks in the province said Corne' Ackerman was granted bail of R25 000 in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Spokesperson, Warrant Officer Lynda Steyn, said he faces 40 counts of fraud for allegedly transferring the money out of the firm's trust and investment account to several unknown beneficiaries.
This occurred between January and June last year.
“When confronted, he allegedly could not account for the transactions that he made,” Steyn said.
She said the matter was reported to the Directorate of Priority Crimes' Serious Commercial Investigation Office and Ackerman was subsequently arrested.
Steyn said he would be back in court again on 18 May.
