WHITTLESEA: Jail after $800,000 fraud
A Whittlesea woman who was responsible for a daycare fraud ring and trained others in how to perpetrate the scheme has become the fifth and final person sentenced for defrauding the Commonwealth of $800,000.
She was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment, which will be added to previously handed-down sentences for related offenses.
She will now serve a combined maximum sentence of seven years, seven months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of five years and seven months.
The woman was one of five members of a Melbourne fraud syndicate arrested in November, 2020, after the Australian Federal police-led Operation Persei found the group defrauded Services Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Child Care Subsidy of $800,000.
Ringleader
The two-year investigation – which included Services Australia; the Department of Education; and the National Disability Insurance Agency – identified the Whittlesea woman as the syndicate’s principal offender.
The woman, 55, had a child with a disability on a NDIS plan, but misused NDIS funds to purchase a residential property.
The court also heard she set up a NDIS provider business and worked with another NDIS provider –a 57-year-old woman from Melton – to use their businesses to intentionally defraud the national scheme.
The Whittlesea woman was subject to additional charges after investigators found she fraudulently obtained government benefits related to the childcare subsidy rebate for her seven children over a four-year period.
The investigation found the Whittlesea woman recruited members of her community to divert funds intended for vulnerable and disabled members of that same community to fund their own lifestyles.
These actions resulted in disabled people not receiving the care and support earmarked for them through the NDIS scheme.
Teacher
The 55-year-old acted as a teacher and consultant for other syndicate members looking to commit similar fraud offences against the Commonwealth.
The syndicate defrauded taxpayers of a total of about $800,000.
The Whittlesea woman, 55, was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment.
• One count of dishonestly causing a loss to the NDIA;
• Two counts of dishonestly causing a loss to the NDIA by joint commission; and
• One count of do anything with intent of dishonestly obtaining a gain from the NDIA.
Previous charges
The Whittlesea woman had previously been sentenced on October 24 and November 19 last year, to a combined six years and five months imprisonment. She was charged with:
• One count of dishonestly causing a loss to Services Australia;
• Four counts of dishonestly causing a loss to the Department of Education, by joint commission;
• Two counts of aid, abet, counsel or procure another person to dishonestly cause a loss to the Department of Education; and
• One count of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A Lalor man, 36, was sentenced to four years imprisonment on October 24. He will be eligible for parole after serving two years and eight months. He was charged with three counts of dishonestly causing a loss to the Department of Education, by joint commission.
A Melton woman, 57, was sentenced on August 4, 2021 to a Crimes Act order for a period of 12 months. She was charged with one count of dishonestly causing a loss to the NDIA.
A Meadow Heights woman, 38, was sentenced on August 4, 2021 to a 12 months’ Community Corrections Order and to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service. She was charged with three counts of dishonestly causing a loss to the Department of Education.