Billionaire philanthropist's ex-secretary accused of stealing $1.7m secures bail

Annalouise Spence allegedly used fraudulent funds for first class overseas airfares and a 50th birthday party. (Supplied: Facebook)

Annalouise Spence will be confined to home detention while facing fraud charges, as part of a series of strict bail conditions.

The 54-year-old is accused of using Judith Neilson's American Express cards to steal money while she worked as her secretary.

Ms Spence is being supported by her husband, who will provide the million-dollar bail surety.

A former employee of billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson has been granted bail on strict conditions, after allegedly defrauding her boss of more than $1.7 million by using her credit cards for personal luxuries.

Annalouise Spence is accused of using Dr Neilson's American Express cards to steal money and fund an extravagant lifestyle, including clothes, jewellery and goods, first-class overseas airfares and a 50th birthday party.

The 51-year-old, who was a secretary at the Judith Neilson Foundation, was initially denied bail in April following her arrest and a police raid of her home in Sydney's inner west.

She is facing 82 counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, but the Supreme Court heard on Thursday she is set to be charged with a further 46 counts, taking the number of charges to 128.

It has been alleged the funds were taken over a period of five to six years, without Dr Neilson's knowledge.

The court attendance notice, released to the ABC, details the extent to which Ms Spence is alleged to have used her boss's funds, after starting as her executive assistant in March 2017.

Prosecutors will allege Ms Spence began making fraudulent purchases with Dr Neilson's National Australia Bank credit cards in late 2019.

Judith Neilson was allegedly defrauded of $1.7 million by her former secretary . (Supplied: Tim Carrafa/NGV)

But in February 2023, the philanthropist was approved for an Amex Centurion card, an exclusive invitation-only credit card account issued in Dr Neilson's name.

Prosecutors will allege Ms Spence then used Dr Neilson's email to approve an additional card in her own name and told the finance team at the Judith Neilson Institute they "did not need to see" Ms Neilson's personal purchases.

With no other oversight of the account, Ms Spence is alleged to have bought hundreds of items.

Her first allegedly fraudulent purchase was at a cashmere store, where she bought some clothing and slippers in December 2019, but her final purchase was a rose-gold Rolex for her husband Adam Spence, at a cost of $58,593.

Among the items allegedly bought on t