Limerick firm agrees not to dismiss director who alleged CEO was spending company funds on girlfriends

Chief operations officer claimed chief executive used the company human resources 'to screen the girls from various illicit websites for suitability' and gave them jobs and accommodation

Karl Bohlin. Photo: Hansaworld

A company at the centre of High Court claims its founder allegedly spent the firm's money providing homes and jobs for his girlfriends, who had allegedly been screened through illicit websites, has agreed not to take steps to dismiss a director who made the allegations.

Limerick-based enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management software group, HansaWorld, gave the undertakings until the case returns to court early next month.

Jennifer O'Carroll, chief operations officer, was given the undertakings in response to claims she made about the manner in which the group's chief executive and majority shareholder, Karl Bohlin, had been running the business and what she considered was his "extravagant personal spending" using company funds.

"Since spring, Mr Bohlin has been primarily concerned with his love life and finding a girlfriend. He has described it as his highest priority," she said.

She claimed Mr Bohlin used the company human resources "to screen the girls from various illicit websites for suitability".

Over recent months, she said, he has "insisted on hiring these ladies even if they are not suitable candidates" to positions in the company and insisted on using the firm's funds to lease houses for them, including one in China and another in Dubai.

Ms O'Carroll is seeking orders that HansaWorld Ireland Ltd, HansaWorld Holding Ltd and HansaWorld Inc Ltd lift her suspension as director and company secretary and stop alleged interference in her role as chief operations officer.

Last week, Mr Justice Brian Cregan granted Ms O'Carroll permission to serve proceedings on HansaWorld following an application with only the O'Carroll side represented.

The matter returned on Wednesday when Gary McCarthy SC, for Ms O'Carroll, said the parties had agreed to adjourn the matter to allow the defendants file replying affidavits.

They have given undertakings not to take steps to dismiss her from the firm in the interim, counsel said.

Lawyers for the defendants are awaiting instructions in relation to her removal as a director, he said.

Mr Justice Cregan adjourned the matter to November.