Former Patrick Tasmania boss faces `lurks and perks’ charges

<p>A former general manager of Patrick Tasmania has appeared in the Burnie Supreme Court accused of taking "lurks and perks" from the company to maintain his private boat.</p> <p>Peter John Loone, of Port Sorell, is jointly charged with his brother, Malcolm James Loone, of Latrobe, with 12 counts of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage by dishonestly invoicing the company for parts, maintenance and fuel for Peter Loone’s own boat.</p> <p>The brothers each pleaded not guilty before Justice Shan Tennent to all 12 counts.</p> <p>The <em>Burnie Advocate</em> reported that the court heard Peter Loone was the general manager of Holyman, which later became Patrick Tasmania, and Malcolm Loone was the company accountant at the time the alleged offences occurred between September 1999 and August 2003.</p> <p>Peter Loone is currently manager of Basslink Logistics, which is part of the Chas Kelly-led consortium which last week bought the Tasmanian arm of Patrick Shipping and Patrick Transport, and will head up the new company’s freight forwarding division.</p> <p>The trial continues.</p> <br />