PHOTO: Debbie Ann Mauger has pleaded guilty to three counts of theft.

A former Brighton East bookkeeper has admitted to stealing more than $850,000 over three years from the real estate agency where she worked.

Debbie Ann Mauger, 57, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft on Friday morning after hundreds of charges were withdrawn in the Melbourne Magistrates Court by prosecutors.

Mauger is accused of stealing $858,648 from Belle Property Sandringham (Melrose Sales Pty Ltd) between the end of 2016 and February last year.

The real estate agency was under the Hockingstuart brand at the time.

The Age understands Mauger siphoned money out of the company accounts through hundreds of encrypted transfers to bogus creditors, and that police have been unable to find out how most of the money was spent.

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