Phillipa Grueber in court for defrauding $1217 from Mooloolaba Medical Centre
A Buderim single mother has fronted court after she swindled her former Mooloolaba workplace out of more than $1200. Read what happened in court.
Police & Courts
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A 35-year-old Buderim mum has faced court after she defrauded her former workplace out of more than $1200.
Phillipa Ann Grueber pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 12 to four charges of fraud – dishonestly gain benefit/advantage by employee.
The court was told Grueber, who was employed as a secretary for Mooloolaba doctor Clive Fraser at the time, had been busted swindling $1217.55 from her workplace across four occasions between August 10, 2022, and September 7, 2022.
Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said Grueber did this by using the business’ eftpos machine to deposit refunds into her personal account, but the transactions were flagged by the business’ bank.
Sergeant Newman said the payments were disguised as refunds for telehealth appointments and standard health practice fees, which Grueber said were for particular patients despite the fact she had no authority to process refunds.
Dr Fraser was suspicious of this also, telling police he had never processed a refund in the 30 years he had been practising, the court was told.
Sergeant Newman said the business’ bank later told Dr Fraser the transactions had gone into Grueber’s accounts.
Grueber eventually admitted to taking the money through a series of text messages.
“She said her reasons will never justify the actions,” he said.
Her job was then terminated on September 16, 2022.
Defence lawyer Rachel Holland said her client, who is a single mum, was “extremely remorseful” for her actions.
She told the court Grueber was homeless at the time of the offences and living with her sister, and has since been diagnosed and medicated for bipolar and PTSD.
Since the offending, she has begun seeing a financial counsellor, Ms Holland said.
Grueber was ordered to pay the money she swindled in restitution, and was sentenced to a 12-month probation period.
A conviction was not recorded.
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