Karen Webb, Tirranna Public School: Woman accused of defrauding $4k in school sausage sizzle money
A 50-year-old woman allegedly stolen more than $4000 from the fundraising efforts of a tiny rural public school just outside Goulburn.
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A nine-month police investigation has seen Goulburn woman Karen Louise Webb charged with more than a dozen fraud offences after allegedly skimming fundraising money from a rural school.
Webb, 50, was granted bail at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday after a night in the police lockup.
In court documents, police allege Webb defrauded the Tirranna Public School P&C by almost $4000 while a volunteer at the school between 2015 and 2019.
The tiny rural school, 10km outside Goulburn, has fewer than 30 students enrolled, and raises money through toasted cheese sandwich sales and sausage sizzles.
Webb came to the attention of police in September last year, prompting “extensive inquiries” and a raid on her home, where investigators seized documents and a computer.
She was arrested on Tuesday, and charged with seven counts of obtaining financial advantage, six counts of dealing with identity information to commit an fraud, and five counts of publishing false and misleading information to obtain an advantage.
It is alleged Webb drew cheque’s from the P&C account and deposited the money in her personal bank account.
The sums varied from $150 to as much as $972, spread between June 2015 and September 2019.
Webb is also accused of applying for American Express and NAB credit cards under another woman’s name, with credit limits as high as $100,000.
She was granted bail until her next court appearance on August 5, is required to be of good behaviour, and to report every Wednesday to Goulburn Police station.