Sharon Tracey Nitschke signs deed to repay $250,000 she embezzled from Riverland Vine Improvement Committee
She stole $250,000 from her boss over a four-year period. Now this fraudster has vowed to repay every cent she took — throwing into question whether she should go to jail for her crime.
- Woman ‘swindled more than $250K from wine committee’
- Guilty: Sharon Tracey Nitschke confesses to wine committee fraud
- $250K fraud spent on luxury items, holidays, ‘unnecessary expenses’
A fraudster who swindled a Riverland wine committee has signed a deed vowing to repay the $250,000 she stole — throwing her punishment for the crime into question.
Prosecutors have urged the District Court to immediately jail Sharon Tracey Nitschke, calling it the only appropriate penalty for her “repeated, prolonged and brazen” deception.
On Wednesday, however, Judge Rauf Soulio postponed Nitschke’s sentencing after receiving a document from her former employer, the Riverland Vine Improvement Committee.
He said that, because of the document, he wanted to know the committee’s view on Nitschke’s fate before any decision was made.
“A deed has been entered between Nitschke and the victim of the offending … there has been partial, but significant, restitution (made),” he said.
“There is also an apparent willingness to accept ongoing restitution from her … quite clearly, that deed would be annulled in the event there was immediate imprisonment.
“It’s a matter of some complexity that, having only been provided with the deed this morning, requires more careful consideration.”
Nitschke, 53, of Barmera, pleaded guilty to stealing $251,350.21 from the committee between February 18, 2013 and December 11, 2017.
Based at Monash, the committee aims to generate interest in different grape varieties and supply improved vine material to meet growing trends in the industry.
Nitschke carried out hundreds of illegal transactions, stealing $7000 in the first year of her offending and $100,000 in the 12 months prior to being caught.
The mother-of-three used the money to pay for “unnecessary expenses” including jewellery, make-up, overseas holidays and home renovations.
In April, her counsel asked the court to show mercy, saying their client was prepared to pay “20 per cent of her net income” to reimburse the committee.
They said she had already repaid $35,000, was selling her family home to raise a further $395,000 and had written a letter of apology.
On Wednesday, prosecutors said they would ask the committee’s executive to file a victim impact statement addressing the repayment deed.
They stressed that their position on penalty had not, and would not, change — which Judge Soulio conceded was fair.
“I certainly agree with your submission, but there’s a combination of factors in this case,” he said.
“Nitschke has never offended in the past, has demonstrated her contrition (and) sold her family home to make partial restitution.”
Counsel for Nitschke asked a report be ordered to assess their client’s suitability for a home detention sentence.
Judge Soulio ordered the report — but warned it was “no indication” of his decision — and remanded Nitschke on continuing bail until next month.
