Former Junee pub manager enters plea on fraud charges

THE former manager of Junee’s Commercial Hotel, once recognised for employee excellence, has fronted court accused of allegedly defrauding the business of more than $824,000 over a three-year period.

Brenda Gore, 45, appeared before Wagga Local Court on Wednesday, May 27, where she pleaded not guilty to seven counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial benefit by deception following her arrest earlier this year.

The Junee woman is accused of carrying out a series of fraudulent transactions totalling just over $824,000 while employed as the hotel’s venue manager between January 2023 and February 2026.

Police were alerted on Friday, February 20, 2026, after significant financial discrepancies were allegedly identified within the business.

Photo: Facebook/Commercial Hotel Junee

Regarded as one of Junee’s most prominent and family-friendly licensed venues, the Commercial Hotel is owned by respected Riverina-based hospitality group Oates Family Hotels, which operates multiple venues across the region.

Gore, who was residing at the hotel at the time, was dismissed from her position and evicted from the premises the following week, with personnel from within the wider hotel group brought in to assist with operations.

Advertisements seeking a new venue manager and additional hospitality staff were also published on Seek during the same period.

Gore had been regarded as a highly respected and trusted member of staff at the Junee venue for several years and was named a finalist in the Employee Excellence in Service category at the AHA NSW Awards in October 2025.

Brenda Gore in 2025 | Image: Facebook

Following a near month-long investigation involving extensive financial auditing and police inquiries, Gore was arrested and formally charged at Wagga Police Station on March 18.

Wednesday’s court appearance marked the first time the matter had been before the courts since her arrest, with Gore formally entering pleas of not guilty to all seven charges.

The matter is now listed for a bail review on Tuesday, June 2, with Gore expected to return to court again on August 3.