Fatima Mehajer escapes jail time over electoral fraud

Fatima Mehajer, the sister of disgraced businessman Salim Mehajer, has escaped a jail sentence for electoral fraud.

Magistrate Schurr said she was satisfied Ms Mehajer had been acting under the direction of her brother. Picture: AP

Fatima Mehajer, the sister of disgraced businessman Salim Mehajer, has escaped a jail sentence for electoral fraud today after a NSW magistrate conceded Ms Mehajer had committed the crimes under the heavy family pressure of “Team Salim”.

Downing Centre magistrate Beverley Schurr said her decision to give 28 year old Ms Mehajer a two month suspended prison sentence was based largely on Ms Mehajer’s clear contrition for helping her brother rig votes in the lead up to the 2012 Auburn local council elections.

Magistrate Schurr said it was also clear from text messages between Ms Mehajer and her brother at the time that she had been very reluctant to get involved in the fraud which ultimately propelled Mr Mehajer into the role of Auburn deputy mayor.

The court also heard Ms Mehajer had later explained to a psychologist the “family dynamics” at the time had all been centred around supporting Mr Mehajer and doing what he wanted.

Ms Mehajer said she had been under “Team Salim pressure from the family” but the family now understood “it can’t be all about Team Salim anymore’.

Magistrate Schurr said Ms Mehajer had pleaded guilty to 77 counts of forging documents and giving false information to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) in a “joint criminal enterprise” with her brother Mr Mehajer.

The pair had used the names of friends and family members, re-registering them to addresses in Auburn just before the deadline on 31 July 2012.

In one text to her Ms Mehajer’s frustration with her brother’s demands was obvious, telling him: “I do my best to help you but your work is 24/7. I’m not a robot”

Magistrate Schurr said she was satisfied Ms Mehajer had been acting under the direction of her brother who had played “the dominant role” in the fraud.

Salim Mehajer – who has been charged with 100 counts of electoral fraud - is due to be sentenced by Magistrate Shcurr later today.

Mr Mehajer’s lawyers revealed in court last week Mr Mehajer had recently been diagnosed with bi polar disorder, forcing the court to defer his sentence until today.

But his lawyers this morning made further submissions that the court should also take into account on sentencing that Mr Mehajer had also been a target on relentless negative media coverage.

Commonwealth prosecutor, Mr Liam Cavell, objected to the 11th hour submission as yet another ruse from Mr Mehajer

“Why he should be given a second bite of the cherry I cannot fathom to think. Mr Mehajer has made a deliberate and concerted attempt to court media attention.. His wedding in 2015 was a widely publicised event for which he received negative coverage. He then in November 2015 gave a press interview where he outlined his intention to become prime minister”.

“Whether in fact his public standing has fallen is a result of his own actions”