Kempsey NDIS alleged fraud co-accused Manbir Rooprai, Richard Kennedy, Charlene Gatt, Emilley Welsh latest

One of the four co-accused in an alleged $1m NDIS scam has appeared in Kempsey court asking for various changes to his home detention bail. Get the latest on the case.

Charlene Gatt at Kempsey Local Court on April 10.

One of the four co-accused in an alleged $1m NDIS scam has appeared in Kempsey court asking for various changes to his bail.

Manbir Rooprai was initially remanded in custody following his arrest in March this year in relation to the alleged fraud ring operating across the region.

But on June 5 he was granted bail, joining fellow co-accused Emilley Suzanne Welsh and Charlene Gatt who were already on bail.

Meanwhile Richard Kennedy has been remanded in custody.

The four face various charges in relation to the alleged swindle police halted following months of inquiries with assistance from NDIA investigators, Australian Federal Police, and Services Australia with raids on properties in South West Rocks, Arakoon, and Sydney.

One of Rooprai’s bail conditions is that he abstains from drugs and alcohol and must submit to regular testing in relation to this.

Manbir Rooprai at Kempsey Local Court on July 23, 2025.

In Kempsey Local Court on Wednesday magistrate Juliana Crofts granted his request to be exempt from this testing on September 6 and 7 this year.

Ms Crofts also added three people to the list of those permitted to accompany him when he leaves the house where he is in home detention while on bail.

Emily Suzanne Welsh leaves Kempsey Local Court on Thursday, April 10, 2025 on bail for dishonestly intending to obtain financial advantage through the NDIS system.

Rooprai and Kennedy were arrested at the same time.

Rooprai is charged with nine counts of dishonestly intending to obtain a gain.

According to court documents, separate payments were in the order of $154,307, $44,564, $91,268, $6418, and $3904.

Kennedy is charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime in excess of $1m and four counts of dishonest intent to obtain a gain.

Kempsey Police Station.

He is also charged with handling an explosive/precursor without a licence, disposing of a motor vehicle part and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Gatt, Kennedy’s partner, was arrested around the same time.

She is charged with attempting to dishonestly obtain a gain and was granted bail on March 19 following her arrest. She had her reporting conditions changed at Kempsey Local Court on April 10 allowing her to live in Lake Illawarra and report to police there every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Welsh from South West Rocks was arrested about a week later than the others on March 26.

She is charged with attempting to dishonestly obtain a gain and is currently on bail.

It was heard in Kempsey Local Court on Wednesday that there was still a significant amount of information to be gathered including a report from a forensic accountant.

All four co-accused had their matters adjourned to September 17.

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