A former bank executive who embezzled funds to support a lavish lifestyle, including private jet travel and extravagant vacations, has been sentenced to prison.

Rosemary Rogers, who served as the chief of staff at the National Australia Bank, misappropriated $5.5 million through bribes.

The illicit gains financed an opulent lifestyle, featuring a $500,000 month-long vacation in the United States, a high-end BMW, two boats, a holiday residence, a getaway to a private island in Fiji, and numerous stays at luxury resorts.

Rogers frequently indulged in stays at the six-star Emirates resort in Wolgan Valley, New South Wales, where nightly rates soar to $3,000.

Her reported partner in crime, Helen Rosemond, who leads a luxury travel company, allegedly provided Rogers with these bribes in return for approving inflated invoices billed to NAB.

Rosemond is awaiting trial.

But Rogers’ lifestyle began to unravel in December 2017 after an anonymous whistleblower notified the board of NAB.

Today, Rogers’ barrister Mark Tedschi QC said her actions were driven by stress.

She was sentenced to a maximum of eight years in jail after being found guilty of more than 30 bribery, corruption and fraud charges.

“NAB has zero tolerance for any criminal activity. Where criminal conduct is identified, we will refer it to the police,” NAB Chief Legal Counsel Sharon Cook said in a statement.

“Since becoming aware of the issue, we have made changes to strengthen controls in our organisation, including changing delegations and introducing additional checks on expenses.

“As there is a second party involved who is still before the Court, NAB is unable to comment further on this matter. We are taking court action to recover the proceeds of the alleged fraud.”