May 11, 2022

Carer ordered to repay $108,000 to Centrelink after failing to declare income

Maroochydore nurse Karen Delores Swartz, 59, received the Centrelink assistance between January 2014 and March 2019 even though she had gained employment and was no longer entitled to the allowance.

The court heard Ms Swartz had failed to notify Centrelink of her change in employment status.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) discovered she was receiving the payments after the ATO did a data match in 2018, according to media reports.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to obtaining financial advantage by deception.

She was sentenced to three years in jail, but released on a five-year good behaviour recognisance. She was ordered to repay the $108,753.76 she had obtained illegally.

Ms Swartz’s defence lawyer, Mark Dixon, said his client, a nurse, had been caring for her elderly mother while she herself was suffering from depression. 

Mr Dixon said if his client had served jail time she would have had to sell her home, causing a major upheaval for her family. 

Judge Nathan Jarro described Ms Swartz’s actions as “greedy” and “deceitful” and noted she used a separate bank account for the additional income. 

Convictions have been recorded against Ms Swartz. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’ is back with a new twist

The heartwarming, Emmy-award-winning series is back for a second season, this time leaving the aged care home for a new twist. Read More

92-year-old charged with suffocating wife with dementia to death

A 92-year-old Canberra man may be the oldest person in the ACT to be charged with murder after he allegedly suffocated his wife of almost 70 years to death. Read More

Grandmother on Trial for Alleged Abuse of 13-Year-Old Grandson

A Hobart grandmother is accused of going too far with her discipline. The court has heard claims of cruel punishments and controlling behaviour towards her 13-year-old grandson. Read More
Advertisement
Exit mobile version