A woman who stole more than $110,000 from the Forest Industry Association of Tasmania has been jailed for two years. Source: The Mercury
Gail Lynne Delpero, 44, worked as a part-time executive assistant with responsibilities for managing finances and had full access to FIAT bank accounts during her employment from September 2011 to November 2014.
She pleaded guilty to three counts of computer-related fraud.
Supreme Court Justice Shan Tennent said Delpero’s crimes were detected after an accountant noticed a number of discrepancies during an audit.
These included Delpero paying herself six extra wage payments as well as other transfers to her bank account.
A final audit revealed she had taken $110,315.61 of FIAT funds and she was sacked. Justice Tennent said Delpero had suffered a number of personal setbacks including a marriage breakdown and the death of her mother in the years before the offending, but the crime was serious one.
“Your offending was clearly not about need,” the judge said. “You wanted to maintain a lifestyle your circumstances would not permit and you abused the trust of your employer to gain funds to do that.
“Your offending was persistent and over a period of almost three years.
“You did not stop offending voluntarily. Your offending ceased only when you were caught. You have not repaid any of the funds stolen.”
The judge convicted Delpero of the offences and jailed her for two years, with a non-parole period of half that term. She also ordered Delpero repay the money she stole.
