Anita Margaret Humphreys (Breen) in Maroochydore court for forged receipts

A charity boss has been jailed for scamming money from one of her tenants and an insurance company after submitting dodgy claims for repairs that were never carried out.

Anita Margaret Humphreys leaves Maroochydore District Court. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The former principal of a Sunshine Coast rental property management company has been jailed for fraudulently obtaining $70,000, and admitting bogus receipts in a court case against a tenant.

Anita Margaret Humphreys, also known as Anita Breen, appeared in a QCAT matter in July 2016 over a bond dispute with a tenant.

Maroochydore District Court heard Humphreys sought compensation for alleged damage to the Little Mountain property.

Judge Amanda McDonnell said the 51-year-old tendered 34 forged invoices for repairs that were never completed, and was awarded $1809.90 in compensation from the tenant in the QCAT case.

Anita Margaret Humphreys leaves Maroochydore District Court. Picture: Patrick Woods.

When the tenant was contacted by the new tenants to collect mail months later, she became aware the repair work had not been done.

Judge McDonnell said Humphreys lied to police when confronted, maintaining work had been carried out by eight local businesses, and denied producing forged documents.

“You induced the insurance company to deliver a total of $70,392.50 as a result of uttering those forged documents on 13 occasions,” she said.

Defence barrister Nathan Turner said his client’s frauds were misguided attempts to keep her business afloat.

Anita Humphreys has been ordered to serve nine months in jail after pleading guilty to a $70,000 fraud

Mr Turner said Humphreys was the manager of Airtasker business Ladies Running Errands and the founder of a charity called the Sunshine Coast Kindness Pandemic, which was still running.

“There’s no evidence of any lavish lifestyle (as a result of the money obtained),” Mr Turner said.

“She was nominated for a Sunshine Coast Council Australia Day award in 2021.

“She’s been described as kind, giving, caring and compassionate.”

Mr Turner said Humphreys was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and PTSD, and was a carer for her mother who had advanced dementia.

Humphreys pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

She was sentenced to three years’ jail, which is to be suspended after she serves nine months in custody.