Gaye Kathleen Smith: Major update in Chinchilla Chamber and Commerce Inc fraud court case

The case against a Chinchilla mum charged with more than 200 alleged offences including fraud and stealing as a servant has been thrown into jeopardy.

IN COURT: Gaye Smith was charged with 163 counts of fraud (dishonest application of property of another by employee), 31 counts of fraudulently falsifying/destroying/alter/damaging a record, and 32 counts of stealing by clerks and servants. Pic: Social media

Outstanding evidence has thrown into jeopardy the matter of a woman accused of defrauding the Chinchilla Community and Commerce out of more than $40,000.

Gaye Kathleen Smith’s lawyer Jessica Hine told Chinchilla Magistrates Court on Thursday her office had emailed police prosecutions inquiring about the missing information on July 4 and had yet received anything.

Ms Smith was charged in January and May 2021 with 163 counts of fraud (dishonest application of property of another by employee), 31 counts of fraudulently falsifying/destroying/alter/damaging a record, and 32 counts of stealing by clerks and servants.

Police prosecutor sergeant Derek Brady said police prosecutor sergeant Chris Hutchins was handling the correspondence.

“Essentially, it’s a matter of particulars all matters will proceed…” Sergeant Brady began to say.

Talking over Sergeant Brady, Ms Hine said because of the outstanding materials, “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.

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.

Ms Smith remains on bail and is next due to front court on September 9.

Originally published as Gaye Kathleen Smith: Major update in Chinchilla Chamber and Commerce Inc fraud court case