Boronia mum Allison Dalton stole $92,000 from Centrelink while working for State Government
A Boronia mum “tapped away” $92,000 she fleeced from Centrelink while also working for the Department of Health and Human services with most of the stolen dough blown on alcohol and gambling.
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A Boronia mum fleeced $92,000 from Centrelink while working for a State Government department, a court has heard.
Allison Dalton, 42, pleaded guilty in the County Court on Wednesday to a rolled up charge of obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
Dalton earned up to $1900 a fortnight working for the Department of Health and Human Services while getting the dole between December 2012 and March 2018.
Dalton, who claimed parent payments and study benefits, obtained $92,839 while she earned close to $400,000 from her part-time disability support worker job during the period.
The court heard Dalton enrolled to study but left the course because it was “too difficult”.
She kept receiving the study payments.
Dalton, via her barrister Nola Karapanagiotidis, claimed her ex-partner Craig Henderson blew most of the cash on alcohol and gambling.
Mr Henderson, the father of Dalton’s two children, still lives with his ex-partner.
The court heard Mr Henderson – who shared a bank account with Dalton – drank Jim Beam daily and usually cracked his first drink in the morning.
“(Dalton) was not living a life of luxury,” Ms Karapanagiotidis said.
It was submitted Dalton, who lived at Croydon North during the offending period, has struggled financially and occasionally relied on her mum to pay rent and bills.
However, the court heard Dalton told a psychologist she would “spend cash or tap away until the money was gone”.
In response, prosector Mathew Challen, on behalf of the Commonwealth, submitted a short term of imprisonment is an appropriate sentence.
“She was on notice … the nil declarations continued,” Mr Challen said.
Federal department Services Australia – which oversees Centrelink – contacted Dalton in August 2016 querying her income declaration after a “data match” indicated she had been overpaid.
Dalton kept offending despite the warning, the court heard.
Mr Challen said a thorough investigation finalised in 2019 uncovered the full extent of Dalton’s fraud.
Judge Patricia Riddell said Dalton committed “serious” offending.
“There are so many people on benefits … which makes it incredibly hard to detect,” Judge Riddell said.
“She was on notice … you are required to declare what income you earn …
“I do think this is beyond a CCO (community correction order).
“My view is also a straight sentence of six months or less will adequately reflect the offending here.”
The court heard Dalton has begun repaying $118.50 per fortnight.
Judge Riddell extended Dalton’s bail for sentencing this Friday (August 28).
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