Fraudster make up artist who conned family and friends intends to appeal prison sentence

A Tassie make-up artist has been sentenced to jail for what a magistrate branded a “serious ongoing breach of trust” when she used family and friends to scam $65,000 from an insurance company. LATEST IN COURT >>

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Olivia Rose Rodgers has been handed down her jail sentence, but intends to appeal it after she used family and friends to scam $65,000 from an insurance company.

The makeup artist appeared before the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday after pleading guilty to 62 counts of dishonestly acquiring a financial advantage.

Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason said the 32-year-old was working as a sales consultant and claims processor for Bupa insurance provider when the offending occurred between January 2016 and July 2017.

Olivia Rodgers arrives at the Hobart Magistrates Court.

Ms Geason said Rodgers had processed fraudulent claims on behalf of her family and friends, transferring benefits into their accounts, then making up an invoice and pretending money was being sent to them by mistake, which she would ask them to transfer back to her.

“You must have fully appreciated at the time the level of dishonesty you were engaging in,” Ms Geason said.

“You significantly breached the trust of not only your employer, but also your family and friends.”

The Magistrate said Rodgers previously told community corrections she was experiencing financial hardship and needed the money.

Ms Geason said although Rodgers had “regularly exceeded” her credit card limits, the insurance worker and makeup artist had been able to service her debts but chose not to.

“You had an income in excess of $139,000,” Ms Geason said.

Olivia Rodgers leaves the Hobart Magistrates Court.

“You were living beyond your means.”

Bank statements revealed Rodgers had spent money on takeaway, jewellery, travel reservations, clothing, beverages and hotel accommodation, even holidaying in Bali and Sydney.

Ms Geason said Rodgers had fully repaid the debt to Bupa, but the Magistrate told Rodgers “you can’t buy a reduction in your sentence”.

Rodgers had first appeared in court in March 2018 and reappeared a number of times, with Ms Geason attributing the delay to investigation “complexities” and a “significant number of documents”.

Ms Geason said psychologist findings indicated the Moonah makeup artist had developed remorse since the offending and had experienced a generalised anxiety disorder and body dysmorphic disorder.

AAP Image / Julian Andrews.

She said Rodgers’ desire to buy things and make herself feel better did not excuse “systemically using” her close family and friends in a “serious ongoing breach of trust”.

“The sentence of your imprisonment seems to me to be inevitable,” Ms Geason said.

The Magistrate convicted Rodgers with a nine month jail sentence, suspending seven months for a period of five years, and ordered her to pay fines upwards of $1300.

But Rodgers’ defence lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi submitted a notice of intention to appeal the decision.

“Ms Rodgers is aggrieved by an order of this court and she is forthwith giving notice for an intention to file a notice of review,” Ms Geason said.

Rodgers was bailed to appear before the Supreme Court on July 19.