Fiat Chrysler adds another former boss to funds claims

FIAT Chrysler’s bid to wrest back more than $30 million it claims was misappropriated by its Australian division has taken a new twist, dragging in yet another high-powered former executive.

Veronica Johns, who replaced the man at the centre of the allegations, Clyde Campbell, and won the distinction of becoming the first locally born woman to head up an international car maker’s Australian operations, has this week been joined as a respondent in the Federal Court case, documents obtained by Wheels reveal.

Johns is mentioned numerous times in Fiat Chrysler’s statement of claim against Campbell, which alleges she authorised excessive payments for cars gifted to associates of Campbell and sold back to the company, accepted free cars bought by the company as prizes, and used company funds to renovate her kitchen.

Fiat Chrysler’s case against Campbell outlines numerous claims of unwarranted spending under his stewardship, including leases on planes, boats and luxury hotels, and overseas trips.

Fiat Chrysler has also applied to the court to file an updated statement of claim outlining where it believes the money has gone.

Campbell is contesting the allegations.

The case is continuing.

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