Former TZ director Andrew Sigalla stands trial for alleged $9m fraud

A former technology company director accused of defrauding his company of $9 million allegedly transferred substantial sums to high profile bookmaker Tom Waterhouse, a court has heard.

Andrew Sigalla, a former director of Sydney-based sharemarket-listed technology company TZ Limited, is standing trial in the NSW Supreme Court on 24 charges of fraud.

Andrew Sigalla leaves the King Street Supreme Court complex on Monday. Photo: Michaela Whitbourn

"Absolutely not guilty," he said loudly in the dock after the charges were read out against him.

Crown Prosecutor Patricia McDonald, SC, told the jury Mr Sigalla was accused of transferring the funds from TZ Limited to his own companies and his personal bank account between December 2008 and March 2009.

She said there would be evidence in the trial that "a lot of funds" were transferred to Mr Waterhouse's betting house along, along with a mortgage company which had lent Mr Sigalla money to purchase a property at Ingleside.

Mr Waterhouse is expected to be among the witnesses.

The court heard a "conservative estimate" for the trial was eight weeks. A jury of 12 men and women was empanelled shortly before midday.

Supreme Court Justice Christine Adamson noted Mr Sigalla was representing himself and said it was "something he has a perfect right to do".

She warned the jury they should not use the fact he did not have legal representation to influence them "in any way" for or against him.

She said the fact Mr Sigalla was representing himself made it harder to predict how long the trial might take.

The trial continues.