Yahoo Finance WA woman who stole $500k from boss, jailed
A Western Australian woman who stole $523,329 from her employer has been sentenced to four years in prison.
The woman, Donna-Lee McCole used the funds to pay off debts as well as for holidays, a home deposit and renovations.
She was working at P&G Body Builders between 2010 and 2017 when the theft occurred.
While the judge noted that the thievery initially began as a means to pay off debts accrued during a relationship breakdown and unemployment, she condemned the continued thievery.
Related story: UK insurance giant bans all employees from drinking during office hours
Related story: CRACKDOWN: Jail or $210,000 fine for helping students cheat
Related story: Adelaide business banned from using Amazonian frog poison to treat clients
“You continued to steal from your employer for a very long time… to fund purchases that you wanted to make,” Vernon said.
The employers were alerted to the theft after a suspicious transaction triggered a review in McCole’s actions, revealing she had been making payments into three of her bank accounts.
“You were able to arrange the payments into your own accounts because your employers trusted you and they were operating a small business,” Vernon said.
“You were in a position of significant trust and responsibility.”
McCole will be eligible for parole in two years and must also pay reparations.
In March this year, a Sydney man and woman were charged with stealing $2.1 million from two businesses by sending fake invoices while pretending to be contractors.
And in February, a Melbourne tradesman was given a one-year suspended jail sentence after working while claiming $124,397 in workers compensation.
– With AAP.
Make your money work with Yahoo Finance’s daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news.
