Jennifer Von Gleich sentenced in Rockhampton District Court for fraud

For almost a quarter of a century, a Rockhampton woman used a false identity and elaborate stories to fraudulently obtain $377,279.41 in age pension payments. Here’s what happened to her in court.

For about a quarter of a century, a Rockhampton woman used a false identity and elaborate stories to fraudulently obtain $377,279.41 in age pension payments.

Jennifer Von Gleich, 76, was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court on June 24.

Gleich had pleaded guilty on April 22 to one count each of defrauding the Commonwealth and obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Federal prosecutor Roman Micairan said over about 24 years Gleich was able to obtain $377,279.41 from the Commonwealth of Australia.

Mr Micairan said Gleich used a false identity, which had been used by her late husband, to obtain age pension payments.

He said Gleich committed the offence between September 2, 1994 and March 21, 2019 while aged between 48 and 73 years old.

Judge Jeff Clarke noted that Gleich had provided a “raft of excuses and reasons” why that person wasn’t able to make personal contact with Centrelink.

Mr Micairan said Gleich took “active steps to maintain the facade of the identity” so she could continue to receive the payments.

“Some of the false information were well fashioned, concocted stories, well detailed including about his overseas travel, where he was living, his medical conditions,” he said.

Over about 24 years Jennifer Von Gleich was able to obtain $377,279.41 from the Commonwealth of Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

He said the only reason Gleich’s offending ceased was because she got caught.

He said there was “no suggestion” Gleich’s offending was carried out due to need.

He said Gleich owned three properties, including a house on Mount Archer, and had previously worked as a nurse and had an income.

“This was not a situation where financially she needed the money,” he said.

He said Gleich attempted to “heavily minimise” her conduct in a recorded interview with police.

Judge Clarke said Gleich provided a story that a stepson, who was an outlaw bikie, was benefiting financially from the money she was gaining and that she kept receiving the money after he left the country.

Jennifer Von Gleich, 76, was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court.

Financial reparation was sought in the sum of $243,779.41, which was not opposed by the defence.

Defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand said his client, who had no criminal history, had paid back $133,500 as of June 14 through monthly payments of $1500 to Centrelink.

Mr Ahlstrand said his client worked as a nurse in various hospitals from about 1970 to her retirement in 2012 at 67 years old.

“She has always been employed in her adult life,” he said.

“She instructs that she herself does not receive an age pension.”

He said his client’s husband died in 2013 and that she lived a “solitary existence”.

“She has no family and is exceedingly socially isolated and she has no friends,” he said.

He said due to his clients age, her time in custody would be more onerous.

Judge Clarke said Gleich’s offending was “born out of greed”.

“What you engaged in was quite calculated criminal conduct over a significant period of time,” he said.

“You maintained quite an elaborate ruse for many years.

“You systematically lied and provided false information to Centrelink, often inventing a false set of circumstances, a facade, a fantasy designed and calculated to deceive and benefit yourself financially.”

Gleich was sentenced to five years prison with a non-parole period of 18 months.

She was ordered to make financial reparation to the Commonwealth of Australia in the sum of $243,779.41.