A key figure in Star Casino's international VIP team is accused of misappropriating more than $13 million in gambling money before "disappearing" in 2020, an inquiry has been told.
The senior manager, who worked with Chinese high rollers, allegedly transferred a $13.3 million payment from a junket operator into his own account, rather than the Star's.
Another senior figure in the same VIP division, Marcus Lim, was accused of accepting kickbacks that funded his lifestyle, making corrupt payments and associating with "illegal, undesirable elements".
An investigation into Mr Lim, who was the president of international VIP sales, began in 2019 but wasn't finalised by the time he was made redundant in 2020.
Despite the serious allegations, Mr Lim was permitted to remain on "gardening leave" — on full pay — for six months.
Former chief executive Matt Bekier faced his third and final day of questioning at the inquiry into Star Entertainment's suitability to run its Sydney casino on Wednesday.
He resigned less than two months ago amid allegations of money laundering, fraud and criminal infiltration at the casino.
Mr Bekier was asked at the inquiry on Wednesday if the VIP team was "simply out of control", to which he replied: "I don't agree with that."
He also rejected suggestions the probe into Mr Lim was deliberately drawn out to avoid Star having to alert the regulator to any damaging findings.
"Was this a case of simply shuffling off Marcus Lim quietly so as to avoid making any disclosures of seriously inappropriate conduct of a senior manager at Star Entertainment group?" special counsel Naomi Sharp asked.
"Not at all, Ms Sharp," Mr Bekier replied.
Mr Bekier also disagreed that the VIP team lacked proper supervision, despite acknowledging it was the most vulnerable to exploitation due to its "massive turnover".
"Just at the point in the business where the flow of money was at its highest, and where the [anti-money laundering] risks were the greatest, and where the integrity risks to the casino were the greatest, senior management completely dropped the ball … didn't it?" Ms Sharp asked.
"I wouldn't agree with the characterisation that we completely dropped the ball," Mr Bekier responded.
"But there were clearly shortcomings."
Star Entertainment Group's chair and board of directors will face questions next week.
