Former Elders real estate agent Chris Deutrom faces court on first day of three-week fraud trial

PHOTO: Chris Deutrom (R) has pleaded not guilty to eight charges of obtaining a benefit by deception. ABC News: Felicity James

A high-profile Darwin real estate agent accused of diverting funds meant for his employer to himself was in “serious financial trouble”, the Northern Territory Supreme Court has been told.

Key points:

Chris Deutrom pleads not guilty to defrauding Elders of about $234,000
Deutrom accused of instructing advertisers to transfer rebate money into his personal accounts
Email from Deutrom claims he redirected money to fund team-building trip

Chris Deutrom has pleaded not guilty to eight charges of obtaining a benefit by deception for allegedly defrauding Elders of about $234,000 in 2015 and 2016, when he was the company’s Darwin real estate manager.

The trial, which continues today, was told on Monday Mr Deutrom negotiated a deal with the NT News and realestate.com.au to receive rebates for Elders in exchange for a certain advertising spend.