Annalouise Spence, the former private secretary to billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson, has been charged with multiple counts of fraud following her arrest in Erskineville, Sydney. The 50-year-old allegedly misused a business credit card to amass over $1.6 million in purchases from March 2023 to September 2025, funding a luxurious lifestyle through around 350 fraudulent transactions.
The police claim Spence incurred substantial expenses, including approximately $400,000 on travel, over $300,000 on clothing, and nearly $200,000 on jewellery. During a police raid at her residence and a storage facility in Campbelltown, law enforcement officials seized numerous clothing items and artworks linked to her spending spree.
In a court appearance for bail, Spence’s legal representative highlighted her serious mental health challenges, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The lawyer also noted that Spence has repaid more than $800,000 of the alleged fraudulent debts to Neilson. However, despite these arguments, her request for bail was denied.
The case has attracted significant attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and the involvement of a high-profile philanthropist.