CENTRELINK FRAUD – OBTAIN FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE FROM COMMONWEALTH ENTITY – AMOUNT $10,500 – PLEA OF GUILTY

Published 24 Oct 2011

Case Study –

Criminal Lawyers Sydney and Parramatta Offices

Criminal Matter – Criminal Offence - Commonwealth Matter – Centrelink Fraud – Obtain Financial Advantage from Commonwealth Entity – Amount $10,500 – Plea of Guilty 

Nyman Gibson Stewart

Criminal Lawyers

Parramatta Local Court

Represented by Solicitor: Jasmina Ceic 

Facts: Client pleaded guilty to obtaining a financial advantage by deception from Centrelink over a 2.5 year period. Client had no criminal record. The client provided evidence that she had repaid the debt before she was charged with the offence.

Result: Charge was proven but dismissed under Section 19B of the Commonwealth Crimes Act with a good behaviour bond for 12 months. The law states that for a conviction of this type, a term of full time imprisonment is appropriate.