A Melbourne man bluffed his way into high-paying jobs that variously had him redeveloping a hospital and working as a senior manager at Myer, a court has heard.
Andrew Jeffrey Flanagan, 46, allegedly organised dodgy references and falsified impressive work histories to secure the jobs.
Once in the position, he is accused of hiring mates, commanding his staff to go out drinking with him and sending them inappropriate text messages.
He was fired from each job following allegations of ineptitude or bad behaviour.
Police allege Flanagan also had an associate pose as the head of major companies to provide glowing references.
They say his fraudulent resumes secured him positions at Myer, clothing outlet Rivers, the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce, the North Melbourne Institute of TAFE and Bendigo Health.
Flanagan, of Glen Waverley, has pleaded not guilty to offences including obtaining property by deception, obtaining financial advantage by deception and theft.
Rivers brand director Jane McNally told Melbourne Magistrates Court that Flanagan's "very impressive resume" was the key factor behind him being hired to a position that paid him $106,000 for two months work.
On his resume, he claimed to have worked at international fashion house Zara and have a law degree and an MBA, she said.
Ms McNally initially described him as "charming, courteous and presents smartly in a suit and tie".
But she said his disorganisation and drinking habits soon exposed his incompetence.
Bendigo Health executives also decided to hire Flanagan to help lead the redevelopment of the city's new hospital.
But Bendigo Health HR manager Andrea Noonan said he was fired just weeks later after a business trip to Brisbane during which he got drunk and almost came to blows with a colleague.
Mrs Noonan said she had initial reservations about Flanagan's suitability for the role, questioning why he would want to leave a major financial company in Melbourne to move to regional Victoria.
"But we thought it was a risk worth taking," she said.
Police allege Flanagan lasted only one day in his $400,000 role at Myer before his fake references were exposed.
Detective Craig McIntosh told the court Flanagan secured the role by having his associate pose as the chief executive of global fashion retailer Inditex.
Flanagan has been committed to stand trial in the Victorian County Court.
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