A Maloneys Beach woman who concealed more than $100,000 in earnings from Centrelink while receiving social security benefits has narrowly avoided time in prison.
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Christine Louise Britten, 48, appeared in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, pleading guilty to fraud after receiving a financial advantage from the Department of Human Services between 2012 and 2016.
Court papers showed Britten was a recipient of Newstart Allowance and failed to declare income from a cleaning job to the department.
Britten earned more than $108,000 during the four-year period, but disclosed less than $6000 of her income. The department said Britten was only entitled to half of the $50,000 in benefits she received.
She was ordered to repay more than $25,000 and fined an additional $5000. Magistrate Doug Dick also ordered her to perform 250 hours of community service in lieu of jail.
