Stephanie Carroll sentenced for fraud while running Ballarat fitness studio

A woman failed to disclose she was running a Ballarat fitness studio while she received more than $59,000 in weekly work compensation payments, a Geelong court has heard.

A Ballarat fitness studio franchisee failed to disclose she was working and received more than $59,000 in weekly compensation payments.

Stephanie Carroll, 29, appeared in Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Despite Carroll lodging a claim for a work-related adjustment disorder, stress, and anxiety, WorkSafe discovered she had taken over the lease and franchise for a Ballarat fitness studio in June 2021.

She was found to be the sole director, operator and signatory to the business bank account but continued to submit certificates declaring she had not worked, received $59,001 from October 2020 until December 2021.

WorkSafe insurance executive director Roger Arnold said “people who defraud the system take money and resources away from injured workers in legitimate need and threaten the integrity of the entire scheme”.

Carroll pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining payments and was sentenced to 125 hours of unpaid community work.

She was ordered to pay back the compensation money, plus $2000 in costs.

Originally published as Stephanie Carroll sentenced for fraud while running Ballarat fitness studio