Karen Delores Swartz defrauded Centrelink of $108,000

A 59-year-old Maroochydore grandmother who defrauded Centrelink of $108,000 over five years has walked from court after being ordered to pay it all back.

A 59-year-old Maroochydore nurse buried “her head in the sand” when she rorted Centrelink for more than $108,000 over five years, a court has heard.

Karen Delores Swartz was sentenced to three years’ jail after pleading guilty to obtaining financial advantage by deception between January 23, 2014 and March 7, 2019 in Maroochydore.

The Commonwealth told the Maroochydore District Court Swartz had taken advantage of government assistance through Centrelink carer’s payments to the tune of $108,753.76 over five years.

The court heard the 59-year-old Maroochydore nurse had committed the social security fraud after she failed to declare that she had gained employment and that her income had changed.

Swartz’s offending only came to light after the Australian Taxation Office detected her swindling through a data match on August 30, 2018, with the court being told only $4729.20 had been paid back.

Karen Delores Swartz. Picture: Facebook

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said Swartz had been a carer for her mother but buried “her head in the sand” by ignoring her offending due to her depression.

Mr Dixon told the court the 59-year-old had struggled with her mental health through her life and actual jail time would force her family to become displaced as she would have to sell the house.

Judge Nathan Jarro said Swartz had committed “deceitful” and “greedy conduct”, pointing to the fact she had used a separate bank account where she was receiving additional income.

Swartz was sentenced to three years’ jail but was released immediately on a five-year good behaviour recognisance.

She was then ordered to pay back the remaining $104,024.56.

Convictions were recorded.