Gaye Smith: Former Chinchilla Chamber and Commerce Inc employee mentioned in court on alleged fraud charges

A woman who is alleged to have fraudulently obtained tens of thousands of dollars from the Chinchilla Chamber and Commerce Inc has had her charges mentioned in court.

ALLEGED FRAUD: Gaye Kathleen Smith was mentioned in Chinchilla Magistrates Court on July 8. Picture: Contributed

A mother and former employee of the Chinchilla Chamber and Commerce Inc accused of fraud and money laundering has been mentioned in court.

Gaye Kathleen Smith was formally charged with 163 counts of fraud (dishonest application of property of another by employee), 31 counts of fraudulently falsifying/destroying/alter/damaging a record, and 32 counts of stealing by clerks and servants.

The Chinchilla mum is also charged with three counts of stealing by clerks and servants, two counts of forgery, one count of money laundering knowingly, and count of fraud (dishonestly obtaining property from another by employee value of or over $30,000 but less than $100,000).

The mother is alleged to have fraudulently obtained a little over $45,000 from the CCCI, which was picked up by the community organisation when they reviewed their books in early 2020.

Appearing for Smith in her absence in Chinchilla Magistrates Court on Thursday, defence solicitor Jessica Hine said they had received the brief of evidence, however had emailed police prosecutions for missing documents.

Ms Hine said there would likely be more submissions made by the defence, with Gaye’s legal team needing to conference with her to obtain further instructions.

Magistrate Kerri O’Callaghan adjourned the matter to August 12.