Matthew Brodribb and Kelly Anne Percy, Batemans Bay: Pair charged with bushfire-related fraud
A man and woman from the South Coast have fronted court after allegedly using fake addresses to claim cash from charities trying to help bushfire victims get back on their feet.
The South Coast News
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A man and woman from the South Coast allegedly fleeced thousands of dollars from charities claiming they lived at homes which burnt down during the summer bushfires, with one person trying to use a screenshot for an eBay purchase as proof.
Matthew Brodribb, 47, and Kelly Anne Percy, 38, appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Friday, charged with bushfire-related fraud offences.
Brodribb has been charged with two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, while Percy, 38, faces five counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
According to the facts tendered to the court, Police allege Percy attended the Batemans Bay Disaster Recovery Centre on January 30, where “in an act of deception” she claimed to Red Cross that she was a resident of 41 Ridge Road, Malua Bay, which was destroyed by the Clyde Mountain Fire on New Year’s Eve.
Later that date, Police allege she phoned the Salvation Army. Police allege she stated she lived at 56 Surf Beach Ave, Surf Beach, and that she stated her back fence and clothesline were burnt during the bushfires.
She allegedly received $300, paid into her bank account on February 4.
Then on February 3, police allege she submitted an online form to the St Vincent de Paul Society for bushfire assistance.
Police facts state she again claimed to live at 41 Ridge Road, Malua Bay, and that the house, shed and all contents were destroyed.
Police allege she received $4000 into her bank account. Facts tendered the court state Percy allegedly went to the Bushfire Recovery Centre in Batemans Bay on February 12, where she allegedly spoke to a Salvation Army representative where she claimed to live at 56 Surf Beach Ave, Surf Beach. She allegedly claimed it was a five-acre property and her house and shed were destroyed.
Police allege she received $3200 in bushfire recovery assistance on February 18 as a result.
Between February 13 and February 26, the Australian Red Cross tried to confirm Percy’s proof of residency at 41 Ridge Rd, Malua Bay.
Court documents state she claimed she did not have any photo identification, Medicare card and that her Centrelink card had a different address.
On February 20, the Red Cross allegedly received an email from Percy with an attached screenshot of an eBay order summary dated February 19.
The order was for a Samsung Galaxy screen protector worth $1 and that the delivery address was 41 Ridge Rd, Malua Bay.
Police allege this was “a clear attempt” to provide evidence she lived at the address, facts tendered to the court state.
After the Red Cross spoke with the tenant of 41 Ridge Rd, Malua Bay, they allegedly spoke with Percy who could not provide details of any other person who lived there.
Court documents state the Red Cross then put her application on hold due to “suspicions she was being untruthful”.
On March 3, Kelly again allegedly submitted a second application to the Australian Red Cross stating she lived at 56 Surf Beach Ave, Surf Beach, and that her home was destroyed and uninhabitable due to the bushfires.
During the bail hearing defence counsel Adam Sumbak told the court heard Percy has lived in the Batemans Bay area her entire life, recently working at the Batemans Bay Ice Creamery.
Mr Sumbak told the court Percy had a methamphetamine abuse problem and that if she received a custodial sentence it could be served in the community.
Magistrate Clair Girotto noted the matters were “very serious”.
Despite the prosecution opposing bail she granted Percy custody to live at the Surf Beach Ave address and ordered her report to police three times a week and avoid alcohol and drugs. Her case was adjourned without plea until July 13.
In documents tendered to the court, Brodribb is accused of receiving $2500 in financial assistance. On January 27, he allegedly attended Batemans Bay Disaster Recovery Centre where the Salvation Army was processing claims for financial assistance.
Police allege he falsely claimed he resided at the Surfside address of his parents, that he had to evacuate for three days after it was impacted by fire and suffered smoke damage to furniture and that there was a loss of electricity for two weeks and loss of food.
Police allege he received $500 cash and three gift cards valued at $30 each.
Police also allege Brodribb made an online application to St Vincent de Paul Society claiming to reside at a house on Surfside Street, Surfside.
Despite the address not existing, he claimed it suffered smoke damage to furniture, food spoilage, loss of dentures and his son’s wheelchair.
Police allege he received a $2000 payment.
Defence counsel Adam Sumbak told the court Brodribb, who lives at a Cook Ave address in Surf Beach, openly admits he did apply for relief.
Mr Sumbak stated Brodribb gave a false address, using his parents’ address. His actual residence was damaged by smoke and ash, and that it made no sense to give a false address when his was actually impacted.
His explanation was that it was a “mere” oversight, Mr Sumbak said.
Magistrate Girotto granted Brodribb bail to the Cook Ave address and he must report to police three times a week. His case was adjourned without plea until July 13.