Alec Charles Johnson sentenced in Townsville District Court for fraud of more than 80k
A man who contributed to the Townsville channel upgrades fraudulently took more than $80k from his employer and spent every cent at the casino.
A man who contributed to the Port of Townsville channel upgrades fraudulently took more than $80k from his employer and spent every cent on gambling.
Alec Charles Johnson pleaded guilty in Townsville District Court on Friday to fraud after dishonestly taking the money for more than a year.
The 29-year-old worked a two week on one week off roster with Hall Contracting, the company responsible for the project, and would complete shift reports which were signed off by a supervisor, and online weekly timesheets.
Crown prosecutor Thomasina Papadimitriou said Johnson quickly found a flaw in the system, allowing him to submit incorrect timesheets by forging his supervisor’s signature, and claimed to work an additional 115 full 12-hour shifts.
“For a period of 14 months between the February 8 2022 and April 3 2023, the defendant was remunerated $81,370 for 1,380 hours which he did not work,” she said.
The court heard Johnson would also add extra hours to timesheets his supervisor had already signed off on, claimed to work days he had off or was sick, and even claimed to work on days when the worksite was closed due to weather conditions.
Johnson was only caught when he submitted four timesheets after his employment had been terminated for taking too many days off.
The court heard during an interview with police Johnson admitted he used the money to fund his gambling addiction.
Ms Papadimitriou said Johnson’s actions were “not sophisticated” and he breached the trust of his employer.
“He’s an employee of a company and is trusted to perform work and fill out accurate time sheets, and his offending breaches that trust,” she said.
The court heard Johnson has since paid 30k back to Hall Contracting, and intends to pay the remaining back in full.
Johnson’s barrister Tristan Carlos told the court his client had a diagnosed gambling addiction, and would spend “every cent” he was earning, honest and dishonest, at the casino.
In a letter of apology, Johnson said his gambling addiction was a “quick rush” which took control and “ruined” him.
Judge Ian Dearden said Johnson’s conduct was “appalling,” and wasn’t satisfied a sentence involving no custody was appropriate.
“It’s a profound sadness that you took advantage of this opportunity,” he said.
Johnson was sentenced to three years imprisonment, and will be released on parole on May 13, 2026.
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Originally published as Alec Charles Johnson sentenced in Townsville District Court for fraud of more than 80k
