Sydney businessman Brad Cooper has pleaded not guilty to 13 charges when he appeared in Sydney’s Supreme Court on Friday.

Mr Cooper appeared in court on six charges of corruptly giving a cash benefit to an HIH officer, and seven charges of publishing a false or misleading statement for a financial gain.

It’s alleged he paid HIH Financial Services GM Bill Howard bribes of up to $124,000, in return for approving claims of almost $5 million for himself and his associates. He is also accused of offering Mr Howard a job in return for recouping the money he said HIH owed him.

Mr Cooper remains on bail and his trial will begin on August 1.