Andrew Gill: Nowra man fleeced $54k from Australian Government Recovery Grants

A south coast man has been busted fleecing more than $50,000 from the federal government’s Covid relief packages, using 56 fake names in his applications.

Andrew Gill outside the Nowra District Court.

A south coast man busted fleecing more than $50,000 from the federal government via disaster relief packages used more than 50 fake names in his applications, a court has heard.

Andrew Gill, 44, faced the Nowra District Court on Monday, having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining a financial advantage by means of deception and one count of attempting to obtain financial advantage by means of deception.

Documents tendered to the court state the Nowra man used 56 fake names to apply for Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments between March, 2021 and October 2022.

The payments were created by the federal government to help ease the burden of Covid and other natural disasters.

One-off payments ranged from $400 to $1000 for eligible adults.

Andrew Gill, 44, faced Nowra District Court.

Documents state Gill used multiple applications, 56 fake names and made more than 50 phone calls, and was able to successfully fraud $54,300 using the recovery payments.

Gill also had some applications knocked back during the 18-month period.

Andrew Gill

Investigations began in 2022 following suspicions the 44-year-old man was submitting fake applications.

Agreed facts state he was arrested, charged and granted bail in 2023.

The Crown submitted documents to the court describing the fraud as “opportunistic” and requested the full amount be paid back through Centrelink after his future sentencing.

In the Nowra District Court on Monday, Gill’s lawyer said the matter was ready to move to sentencing.

He said the sentencing would take upwards of two hours.

Judge Jennifer English adjourned the matter for sentencing at the Nowra District Court on August 20.

Gill remains on bail.

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