A previous wellbeing insurance policy worker, who fraudulently claimed tens of thousands of bucks on her loved ones and good friends accounts, has been sentenced to two months in jail.
Olivia Rose Rodgers is just one of Tasmania’s ideal-recognised make-up artists, but just before she turned her beauty organization into a comprehensive-time gig, she labored for Bupa Wellness Insurance plan.
In that time she stole a lot more than $65,000 from the business, working with her unwitting family and mates to do so.
On Monday, the Hobart Magistrates Court read that amongst January 2016 to July 2017, Rodgers processed 62 fraudulent statements towards nine members’ insurance policies — the people today were possibly family members members or near mates.
Rodgers would make get hold of with man or woman and ask to use their bank information. From there she would accessibility the person’s overall health insurance coverage coverage, post a declare, generate a wrong invoice and create the declare.
When the income was deposited into that person’s account, Rodgers would make up a variety of excuses as to why it was there and question them to transfer the funds to her.
She would tell some folks the dollars was there by incident, she explained to one more female it was more quickly to method promises that way, when she persuaded a different mate she was conserving for an overseas holiday break and was transferring to her as a way to help save revenue.
The courtroom read Rodgers’ plan commenced to collapse when one of her good friends submitted a claim for dentistry but was told she had arrived at her insurance limit. She had not submitted any claims in the preceding calendar year.
Bupa began an investigation as to what experienced transpired and her pal documented her to police.
“By your dishonest carry out associates of household and buddies had been interviewed and rates laid in opposition to some,” Chief Justice of the peace Catherine Geason claimed.
Just one of the folks charged was Rodgers’ mom, who was terminally ill and has considering that handed away.
“[She was] committed to stand demo in Supreme Court docket and had to appear. [You regret that she] had to deal with a time period on legal fees,” she mentioned.
‘You ended up residing beyond your means’
The courtroom heard Rodgers has at first pleaded not responsible and even once she pleaded responsible, ongoing to lie about aspects of her carry out.
“You said although utilized Bupa regularly mucked up pay back and you desired money. Not the scenario,” Chief Justice of the peace Geason stated.
“You stated you had $20,000 credit rating card debt. You did have a quantity of money owed. [But] the financial debt you had was personal debt you were in a position to service and you chose to devote your profits on other products.
“[You made] $55,000 from Bupa and you have been running a extremely productive make-up company and had $83,000 from customers. You experienced an earnings in excess of $139,000.”
The main justice of the peace mentioned Rodgers experienced instead preferred to use her income on objects these kinds of as “clothes, jewellery, cosmetics, hotel accommodation” and visits to Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Bali.
“You ended up residing further than your signifies,” she said.
Rodgers remorseful, repaid all income
The court read Rodgers suffered from generalised stress and anxiety dysfunction and was remorseful about her earlier steps.
“[You have] consistently expressed how horrified you are about your previous actions and have great difficulty reconciling offending behaviour [with your values],” she explained.
“You keep it was totally out of character and sustain disbelief that you took the steps you did. I do accept that more than the passage of time you have formulated regret.”
She also observed Rodgers “appreciable energy to make restitution” and mentioned that she had repaid Bupa all the funds.
In sentencing, Chief Justice of the peace Geason explained Rodgers’ conduct was “dishonest and incorrect”.
“You not only drastically breached the belief of your employer but also your household and mates,” she stated.
“The carry out constituted a really serious and ongoing breach of believe in in excess of an 18-month period.
“In get for typical deterrence a sentence of imprisonment appears to be inevitable.”
Rodgers was sentenced to 9 months in prison with 7 months suspended.
Her defence group has lodged a observe of intention to attraction the sentence and she has been bailed to look in the Supreme Courtroom following 7 days.