Bookkeeper pleads guilty to $2.8 million fraud — ABC News Australia

In Cairns, Australia, 53-year-old bookkeeper Michelle Kathleen Lawson pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud involving about $2.8 million. According to a court hearing, the crimes continued for six years and were committed against the Johnston farming family from the town of Tully, south of Cairns.

As ABC News reports, Lawson managed the finances of the family businesses for 18 years. According to information presented in the Cairns District Court, she transferred money to her own bank account, as well as to the accounts of her husband and son. The court was told that Lawson concealed these payments in accounting records under the names of non-existent employees.

The family’s spending and losses

The court was told that the money was spent on horses, cars, travel, property, Lawson’s own business and extracurricular activities for her children. The Johnston family said that because of the loss of money, it could not hire more workers, pay immediately for machinery and chemicals, or purchase a neighbouring farm.

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In a victim impact statement, 81-year-old Jill Johnston said she learned about the scheme during a family meeting in June 2023. According to her, Lawson did not want to hand payroll work over to another person, explaining this by saying she did not want to correct someone else’s mistakes.

Restitution and sentencing

Through a civil lawsuit, the Johnstons managed to recover nearly $1.5 million. At the same time, legal representation and financial forensic costs amounted to about $500,000.

Defence lawyer Kelly Goodwin told the court that Lawson had a traumatic childhood involving domestic violence, alcohol abuse in the family and her father’s death. He also submitted a letter from Lawson and character references, noting that she accepts responsibility. Lawson has been in custody at the Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre for more than two years after voluntarily revoking her bail. Judge Joshua Trevino is due to deliver the sentence on Wednesday.