Rehana Memon: Therapist in court over alleged NDIS fraud
An occupational therapist has faced court on allegations she falsified reports to obtain more than half a million dollars in an alleged “sophisticated” fraud scheme against the National Disability Insurance.
Parramatta
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A medical practitioner who is accused of falsifying reports to obtain more than half a million dollars in an alleged “sophisticated” fraud scheme against the National Disability Insurance Agency has fronted court.
Rehana Memon, 42, was charged with 21 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception after a special crime squad targeting NDIS fraud swooped on her Auburn home last Friday (September 25).
Police allege the occupational therapist colluded with other scheme participants and their representatives to misrepresent the value of the services she provided through allegedly falsifying reports and overcharging for services using allotted NDIS funding.
The mother-of-two is alleged to have obtained about half a million dollars of NDIS funding for services she allegedly did not provide over a three-year period and was granted police bail last Friday.
Yet within days of her release she was arrested and fronted Burwood Court this Thursday on a fresh charge of perverting the course of justice.
Federal prosecutor Benjamin Scard told the court Memon is alleged to have called up a former employee just hours after she was granted bail.
He told the court she had breached her bail by contacting witnesses to the matter for which she was previously charged.
Her lawyer Daniel Grippi made a release application on the new charges saying that she “admitted” to the breach through the contact.
Yet Mr Grippi claimed it was not “the highest burden of perverting the course of justice.”
“She is entitled to contact witnesses for her defence,” she said.
Yet magistrate Daniel Reiss asked why hadn’t her lawyers been the ones who made contact with the possible defence witness if that was the case.
He said he was “baffled” about how she was authorised to allegedly use the NDIS system.
“It’s she fundamentally inputted her own payment on services she did not provide allegedly,” the magistrate told the court.
“I’m just baffled on how she allegedly did that.”
Mr Scard told the court about $8 million worth of NDIS funds had been received in a bank account matching her details and indicated there could be further charges yet Mr Grippi said “she was only charged with half a million dollars.”
“Only?” the magistrate said.
“Only...from a scheme for diminished and disabled people.”
In arguing for her release, Mr Grippi said she was a single parent with two children and that it was her first time in custody.
The magistrate said, “she was granted police bail and ran out and breached it straight away and contacted a crucial person.”
Yet he granted her release application under strict conditions including not being allowed to contact anyone who she provided services to under the NDIS or employees.
She was also prohibited from possessing any mobile telecommunications device or use the internet unless she’s with her lawyer.
Outside court her lawyer Eidan Havas said, “At this stage it would be inappropriate for me to comment while the matter is before the court.”
Yet he said his client “vehemently denied” all the charges against her.
A special crime squad targeting NDIS Fraud, comprising of AFP, NDIA and Services Australia investigators started investigating Memon’s activities from June before her arrest last week where more than $5 million worth of her assets were restrained including bank accounts, several properties and a car suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
Following her arrest, AFP Deputy Commissioner Brett Pointing said “Fraud investigations can be very complex matters but our investigators remain committed to preventing Commonwealth funds being siphoned off to line the pockets of people who are greedy, or linked to organised crime groups in Australia.”
Mr Pointing, who is head of the special NDIS task force, said “Let this arrest serve as a warning to those who think the NDIS is a target worth exploiting. We will bring as many resources as we need to stop your criminal enterprise, seize your assets, and put you behind bars - and ensure NDIS funds are used for the benefit of people with a disability who need those supports.”
Scott Britton from NDIA said “The NDIA is constantly monitoring its fraud control arrangements to protect the Scheme and the Agency from exploitation through fraud.”
“The Agency will not tolerate the misuse of funds intended to support people with disability. Anyone with a concern that fraud is being committed against the NDIS should contact the Fraud Reporting and Scams Helpline on 1800 650 717.”
Memon will appear before Sydney’s Downing Centre in December.