Gold Coast woman Laura Aprile sent to prison for tax fraud

A Gold Coast woman convicted of ripping off taxpayers $250,000 told her family she feared getting fat in prison as she waited her fate in court.

A 60-YEAR-OLD woman convicted of ripping off taxpayers $250,000 told her family she feared getting fat in prison as she waited her fate in court.

A jury last week convicted Gold Coast woman Laura Aprile of six counts of using a forged document and three counts of obtaining financial advantage following a five-day trial.

Laura Aprile pictured in 2008.

In the Southport District Court yesterday, Aprile was sentenced to a total four years in prison, with a parole eligibility date after she serves 18 months. She was ordered to pay the money back.

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Sitting in the dock, Aprile spoke to family about the prospect of going to prison where she was heard to say: “I’m going to get fat”.

Appearing in court after spending seven days in the watchhouse, she also asked her family for makeup.

Julian Noud, barrister for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court there was a “deviousness” to Aprile’s actions.

Mr Noud said the total loss to the taxpayer was $246,309.56 and she had shown no remorse during the proceedings.

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The court was told the offending related to three business activity statement (BAS) periods in which Aprile lodged false information as business expenses and purchases that never took place.

The court was told Aprile learned how to do this by talking to staff at the tax office.

She also forged documents to get credits which she then used to pay down debts.

Investigations into the tax fraud were extensive, beginning in 2012 and ending with Aprile’s arrest in 2017.

Aprile’s defence barrister Sarah Thompson, instructed by Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Aprile had postponed hip surgery and would experience difficulty in custody.

In sentencing, Judge David Kent QC noted Aprile made admissions to forging documents while giving evidence at the trial.

Judge Kent said tax evasion had hidden consequences and was a burden to the taxpayer.

He said Aprile had gained nothing from the enterprise.