Gaye Kathleen Smith: Further delay in major CCCI fraud case

A former employee of the Chinchilla Chamber and Commerce Inc accused of defrauding a community organisation of $45,000 had her case mentioned in court.

A major fraud case against a prominent Chinchilla community member who worked as an events organiser for a vital community run organisation has been delayed once again.

Former Chinchilla Chamber and Commerce event manager Gaye Kathleen Smith was charged with committing over 200 crimes against her employer. Picture: Supplied.

Chinchilla Magistrates Court heard Gaye Kathleen Smith’s lawyers were still waiting on missing evidence from police.

The mother is alleged to have fraudulently obtained a little over $45,000 from the CCCI, which was picked up by the community organisation when it reviewed its books in early 2020.

Skuse Graham lawyer Jessica Hine told the court in August that her office had been waiting on the evidence since making an inquiry to police on July 4.

This week Ms Hine said there had been further discussions with police prosecutor Chris Hutchins about the outstanding evidence on an indictment charge.

Sergeant Hutchins said the material may no longer be required, although an officer was working on providing the missing information to the court by October 7.

“It is moving in the direction of a resolution one way or another,” he said.

Former Chinchilla Chamber and Commerce event manager Gaye Kathleen Smith at an event in 2017 - five years before she was charged with stealing from the CCCI. Picture: Supplied

In August, Ms Hine told the court the missing evidence would likely affect some charges laid against the mum.

“It’s unknown whether it will go by way of a committal,” she said.

Committal proceedings determine if there’s enough evidence to require the defendant to stand trial before a jury.

Magistrate Kerri O’Callaghan was displeased the case hadn’t progressed and set the case aside for a mention on October 7.

Chinchilla Police charged Ms Smith with 163 counts of fraud, 31 counts of fraudulently falsifying/destroying/alter/damaging a record, and 32 counts of stealing by clerks and servants, and one each of money laundering, dishonestly obtaining property over $30,000 but less than $100,000, stealing, and forgery and uttering.
Ms Smith remains on bail.

Originally published as Gaye Kathleen Smith: Further delay in major CCCI fraud case