Maria Bililis: Chester Hill insurance manager dealt cocaine
A magistrate has spoken of her surprise and disappointment when sentencing a successful insurance manager who had turned to dealing cocaine. A court heard she had otherwise enjoyed a successful career and had worked her way into a senior position at her insurance firm.
The Express
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Express. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Drunk who set fire to convent with nuns inside sentenced
- Drink driver was sick of waiting for taxi before crash
A western Sydney woman who held a senior role at a large insurance firm turned to selling cocaine after struggling with a gambling problem, a court has heard.
Maria Bililis, 35, from Chester Hill, fronted court on Thursday after police caught her with nine bags of coke in Surry Hills on March 14.
A magistrate said her offending was “as surprising as it is disappointing” considering her otherwise good record and successful career.
Court documents revealed Bililis was working as a senior manager for CommInsure in Sydney at the time of the offence and she has enjoyed a successful career to date within the insurance industry.
However, her clean record was marred on Thursday when she was convicted and sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court for supply prohibited drug (cocaine), possess prohibited drug (MDMA), and deal with proceeds of crime, which she pleaded guilty to.
The agreed facts stated police were patrolling an area of Surry Hills known for drug supply late on Saturday, March 14.
Police spotted a man walk up to Bililis’ Ford Laser on Griffin St and hop inside before exiting a short time later.
Police – in an unmarked police vehicle – became suspicious and pulled Bililis over nearby.
Bililis was searched and police found a Mimco bag in her hoodie with nine small bags of cocaine which weighed a total of 5.6g.
Police also found and seized $1295 which they suspected was the proceeds of crime and 10 MDMA tablets.
She told police she had won money on the pokies and that a friend had given her the drugs, the agreed facts stated.
Bililis’ lawyer told the court she had been through a difficult period in her life and was suffering from mental health issues.
Her lawyer said the offending was connected to those issues and it was completely out of character.
“The offender is suffering from a number of conditions and that includes a gambling disorder and major depressive episodes and anxiety disorder.”
Magistrate Jennifer Price accepted she was dealing with mental health issues but stated the seriousness of the offence, and prevalence of drugs in the community, warranted a conviction.
She convicted Bililis on all three charges and sentenced her to a community correction order for 18 months with supervision and fined her $2250.
Bililis has appealed the sentence and the matter will be mentioned again in the NSW District Court in September.