The ex-husband of former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers has appeared in a Melbourne court after he disappeared during a civil case.
Justin McKeone faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday, charged with more than 100 offences related to obtaining financial advantage by deception from his former employer.
Detectives allege McKeone stole $481,490.33 over a three-month period while working as the head of finance for a pharmaceutical sales business, Rocket Brands, in 2024.
Many of the allegations had been previously aired in the Supreme Court of Victoria where his former employers launched civil action against McKeone in the hope of recovering the cash.
Police charged McKeone earlier this month and he faces years behind bars if found guilty of the offences. He did not enter a plea on Friday and was granted bail.
Molly Rogers has pinned a series of posts on her Instagram account, with 350,000 followers, revealing her relief over ending her relationship with McKeone.
‘Starting again might be the scariest – and best – decision you ever make,’ she said.
‘At 30 I left my marriage, unsure of what life would look like. I was scared, anxious, hurt and embarrassed – I didn’t know what my life would look like on the other side.
Justin McKeone (right) leaves the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday
Olivia Molly Rogers and her ex-husband Justin McKeone in happier times
‘But I trusted that I deserved more … Leaving is hard. But staying in the wrong relationship is harder.’
In March last year, the Supreme Court heard McKeone blew almost half a million dollars on an epic booze, drugs and gambling spree.
He had not been in court to hear the allegations after he appeared to vanish from the face of the earth, sparking concerns for his well-being when he could not be found.
However, the Daily Mail revealed on December 27, 2024, that McKeone had moved back to his home state of Western Australia, where he was found safe and well.
The former Melbourne socialite is alleged to have stolen the money during his five-month tenure as head of finance at Rocket Brands (Cozmic Sales Pty Ltd).
The court was told McKeone joined Rocket Brands in March 2024 on a $200,000-a-year salary.
But just weeks into his probationary period, staff reportedly raised concerns about his erratic behaviour.
The records showed McKeone had a little over $1,000 in his account when he is accused of taking more than $6,000 in his first four thefts from his bosses.
Former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers hit Instagram to share the story of life after McKeone
Olivia Molly Rogers’ ex-husband Justin McKeone welcomed a child with his new girlfriend Tahnee Leeson in May last year
Olivia Molly Rogers with current partner Hugo Breakey
Barrister Kieren Hickie, for Rocket Brands, branded it a ‘spending spree’ which did not end until McKeone’s erratic behaviour sparked the owner’s investigation into the company’s finances.
‘(He’s) going on a spending spree for his own personal purposes, depleting his account down to nearly zero,’ he said.
McKeone’s boss reported the alleged theft to Victoria Police on October 14 that year, sparking a criminal investigation.
Detectives interviewed McKeone on November 6, 2024, but he was only charged this month.
McKeone last year revealed he was expecting a child with The Bachelor Australia 2021‘s Tahnee Leeson, who he had been in an on-again, off-again relationship with since his split with Molly Rogers.
She was not in court on Friday to support the father of her child.
At the last civil hearing held before the case was dismissed, Rocket Brands declared it wanted an additional $70,000 from McKeone to cover its legal expenses and another $17,000 in interest on the cash he allegedly stole.
It remains unclear why the case was ultimately dismissed. The Daily Mail applied on Friday for the final orders but has yet to be given permission to inspect them.
McKeone is due to return to court in June.
