Natalie Ann Embregts charged over $696K fraud over disabled brother’s superannuation

A sister required to take care of her disabled brother has been charged over allegedly spending almost $700,000 of his retirement money on herself.

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A SISTER required to take care of her disabled brother has been charged over allegedly spending almost $700,000 of his retirement money on herself.

Natalie Ann Embregts, 66, allegedly spent $696,000 of her foster brother, Hugh Ball’s superannuation money over almost 12 years, during which time she was in charge of his finances as power of attorney.

An investigation by the Office of the Public Guardian also alleged that Embregts restricted Mr Ball from contacting his family or friends, constituting elder abuse, and her legal role was stripped.

Natalie Embregts has been charged with fraud after allegedly using almost $700,000 of her disabled brother’s superannuation money. Picture: Wesley Monts

The revelations came after Mr Ball, 72, was found wandering aimlessly around Townsville, severely underweight at 49.4kg and hallucinating on March 30 last year.

Police have charged Embregts, a registered nurse at Mundingburra Medical Centre, with dishonestly causing detriment to the value of at least $100,000, namely $696,000.

Police will allege that Embregts started using Mr Ball’s money in 2008 and only stopped about a year ago.

Her younger brother David Ball has only now spoken out about the pain caused to his broken family.

Mr Ball said it had been a very sad and stressful time, and he no longer considered Embregts as his sister.

“The main concern is continuing the care Hugh needs and to see Ms Embregts punished for her (alleged) unforgivable actions,” Mr Ball said.

He was still struggling to come to terms with what his brother allegedly went through.

“I find it hard to comprehend how a registered nurse would (allegedly) treat a special needs person this way.”

“I am looking forward to helping Hugh get justice in the courts.”

Hugh Ball, who has a cognitive disability, is unable to fully care for himself and relied on Embregts to manage his finances and allowances when his parents grew too old to help out.

He worked as a tradesman’s assistant at Townsville City Council for most of his adult life before retiring with a healthy superannuation to keep him afloat.

An investigation by the Office of the Public Guardian commenced in 2019 after concerns were raised, and it was finalised just weeks after Mr Ball was admitted to hospital after found wandering the streets and hallucinating in March last year.

The Office of the Public Guardian found that Embregts allegedly committed elder abuse.

The findings from the report from May last year stated that Mr Ball signed an enduring power of attorney document in 2008 appointing Embregts as sole attorney for health and financial matters, but concerns were held in relation to Mr Ball’s capacity at the time of his signature.

The report also found that Embregts was allegedly restricting Mr Ball from contacting his family and friends.

It suspended Embregts from having power over Mr Ball’s financial matters in April last year, and referred the matter to the police.

Mr Ball’s other siblings took over the role of his power of attorney and he was now healthy and well, living in a care facility.

Embregts, who is on bail, will face court again this month.

Originally published as Natalie Ann Embregts charged over $696K fraud over disabled brother’s superannuation