Tiffany-Anne Brislane-Brown jailed for defrauding Services NSW via bushfire grants scheme
A Hunter woman who shot to infamy after complaining she looked like “trailer trash” in her police mugshot has been the first person jailed over bushfire fraud.
Newcastle
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She has been the first person charged in a massive investigation into government agency fraud in NSW, and now the first person to be sent to jail.
Hunter woman Tiffany-Anne Brislane-Brown was dished out a two year and nine month sentence, with a non-parole period of 20 months in Toronto drug court last week, and ordered to pay back $60,000 in compensation.
In September, Strike Force Roche run by Lake Macquarie detectives, caught out the 23-year-old for defrauding Services NSW via small business grants available for bushfire and coronavirus victims struggling with financial losses.
Several others have now been charged, including a Belmont South man and Macquarie Hills woman, as police continue to investigate dozens for alleged fraud across the state, which has netted almost $20 million.
The Newcastle News revealed some organised crime groups are among those who have taken advantage of the schemes, which had been set up to cut bureaucratic red tape and get funds to those in need quickly.
Brislane-Brown – well-known for calling out Newcastle Police for posting a “trailer trash” mugshot of her on Facebook earlier in the year – pleaded guilty to six counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Police facts detailed how the woman used different bank accounts, emails and phone numbers to scam Service NSW out of $60,000, claiming she was a business that had been affected by the bushfires.
She made 24 applications during April and May, and with each, used a distinct ABN.
According to police facts, a forensic examination of her phone revealed receipts from Service NSW for payments into accounts of 10 other people which became subject of further investigation.
Strike force detectives are expected to make more arrests in early December.
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