Fraud and compliance

The TAC is committed to protecting the funds and other assets placed under its control and protection for the benefit of the people of Victoria. Fraud represents potential risks to these funds and assets.

The TAC will not tolerate fraudulent or corrupt activities against its interests and will vigorously pursue parties engaged in such practices or attempting to do so.

How to make a report

Fraud and the TAC

Read the TAC Compliance and Enforcement Policy

Prosecutions

How to make a report

Should you wish to make a report of fraudulent behaviour or other breaches of the TAC legislation, please contact the TAC's Fraud and Compliance Group by emailing Fraud_Compliance@tac.vic.gov.au or by calling 1300 654 329.

Fraud and the TAC

Fraud is dishonest activity or potential financial loss to the TAC including theft of moneys or other property by employees or persons external to the TAC. This includes:

the deliberate falsification, concealment or destruction of documentation
falsified documentation used or intended for use for a normal business purpose
the improper use of information or position.

The following are examples of fraudulent behaviour:

knowingly submitting a false claim
providing false information
working whilst on compensation benefits
altering a medical certificate
submitting false travel expense claims
claiming for services which were not given (service providers) and
providing false invoices, medical certificates.

Actions that may be taken by the TAC

Following an investigation, the TAC may:

Commence criminal proceedings under relevant provisions of the TA Act or relevant criminal legislation
Issue a letter of caution to the person
Determine whether civil action should be taken to recover compensation amounts overpaid
Refer the matter to the Victoria Police, the Coroner, the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) or another body (including professional or trade regulatory bodies such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Legal Services Board) or
Take no further action.

Any employee found to have engaged in, or concealed any such behaviour, may be disciplined, and their employment may be terminated.

TAC billing review program

The TAC has a Billing Review Program to ensure that payments for services provided to TAC clients are reasonable and appropriate. For more information please refer to:

Preventing, Detecting and Investigating Fraud 2020/21

The TAC utilises a comprehensive toolkit of analytical methods, intelligence gathering and reporting techniques to identify potential fraud and claim anomalies.

The TAC has proactive detection capability as part of a continuous monitoring framework that identifies potential fraud, provider misbehaviour and payment anomalies across key control points in the scheme.

In attempting to disrupt fraud and change client/provider behaviour across the scheme the following enforcement action was taken during 2020/21:

TAC’s Prosecutions & Enforcement Committee have approved fifty (50) criminal briefs of evidence to be dealt with through the Magistrates Court. TAC is alleging fraudulent behaviour against the scheme totalling $2,633,053 and in all cases will be seeking full restitution.
There are nine (9) cases where arrest warrants are outstanding where TAC is seeking to recover $387,510.
Thirteen (13) court cases have been finalised with a registered plea of guilty with TAC awarded a total of $293,119 in restitution.
Cases that have not met the prosecution threshold are dealt with through the TAC’s principal means of achieving a change of behaviour and prompt voluntary compliance. Nineteen (19) warning letters were sent for breaches of the Act relating to fraud and providing false information to the TAC by clients as well as Medical and Service Providers, which include demands for reimbursement.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Forensics Group has continued to be pro-active in collaborating with members of the Australian & New Zealand Interagency Fraud Association (ANZIFA) community, sharing information and trends to continue to disrupt fraud across the Insurance sector in both Commonwealth and State Jurisdictions.

During the 2020/21 financial year, the TAC maintained ongoing efforts in the continuous proactive monitoring of service provider billing behaviour, which was supplemented by internal business referrals and information received from the public.

The program focuses on ensuring the invoicing supplied to the TAC by service providers and the subsequent payments made are an accurate reflection of the services that have been provided to TAC clients. In 2020/21 continuous monitoring activities and reviews were undertaken on more than 250 providers across a broad range of disciplines.

Prosecutions

Date	Defendant	Court	Judge/ Magistrate	Result
07 Oct 2021	Ali N	Werribee Online Magistrates' Court	Wardell	Plea of Guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $7,680.87 Fine of $5,000 Professional costs of $1,145.
01 Oct 2021	Jesse H	Ringwood Online Magistrates' Court	Wighton	Plea of Guilty With Conviction Restitution of $46,023.64 Fine of $3,000
15 Sep 2021	Blaze M	Heidelberg Online Magistrates' Court	Altman	Plea of Guilty With Conviction Restitution of $84,771.20 repaid by client prior to the hearing Fine of $5,000 Professional Costs of $1,986
10 Sep 2021	Harrison L	Melbourne Magistrates' Court	McKenna	Plea of Guilty With Conviction Restitution of $94,811.01 Professional Costs of $1,986 18 month Community Corrections Order with condition that the accused undertake 200 hours of unpaid community work and undergo a mental health assessment and treatment.
20 Aug 2021	Colin M	Sunshine Magistrates' Court (online)	Masood	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Fine of $400.
07 Jul 2021	Matthew W	Geelong Magistrates' Court	Mellas	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $10,808.72. $6,500 was paid prior to hearing with $4,308.72 still to be repaid to the TAC Fine of $4,000 Professional costs of $1,125.
01 Jul 2021	Robert E	Werribee Magistrates' Court sitting at Sunshine	Pithouse	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $10,127.19 to the TAC Fine of $1,000 Professional costs of $2,190.
28 Jun 2021	Iman B	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court Online	NcNamara	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Accused repaid fraud amount of $17,275.25 to the TAC prior to the hearing Fine of $2,000 Professional Costs of $1,125.
28 Jun 2021	Melody S	Wangaratta Magistrates' Court Online	Martin	Plea of guilty With conviction 12 month Community corrections Order with conditions that the accused perform 160 hours of unpaid work; undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues; undergo programs to prevent re-offending and be supervised by the Office of Corrections Restitution of $43,859.40 to the TAC
22 Jun 2021	Trash H	Mildura Magistrates' Court	La Rosa	Plea of Guilty With conviction 2 year Community Corrections Order with conditions that the accused is supervised by the Office of Corrections; undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues and perform 50 hours of unpaid community wor Restitution of $15,000 Fine of $3,000.
22 Apr 2021	Jonathan H	Dandenong Online Magistrates' Court	Connellan	Plea of Guilty Finding of Guilt $4,441.87 repaid to the TAC prior to plea of guilty Fine of $3,000 Statutory Costs of $127 Professional Costs of $783.
12 Apr 2021	Semon L	Broadmeadows Online Magistrates' Court	Trumble	Plea of Guilty Finding of Guilt Restitution of $11,118.34 Professional Costs of $500 Good Behaviour Bond of 18 months Donation of $350 to Red Cross by 1/12/2021.
22 Mar 2021	Lacey B	Wangaratta Online Magistrates' Court	Faram	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $7,327.32 Professional costs of $1,000 Fine of $1.000 A stay to 19/06/2021 was also ordered to allow the accused to commence a repayment plan with the TAC.
23 Feb 2021	Jasit A	Sunshine Magistrates' Court	Masood	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $28,080.09 Professional costs $1,244.26 18 Month Community Corrections Order to perform 250 hours of unpaid work.
16 Feb 2021	Navpreet S	Sunshine Online Magistrates' Court	Robinson	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $16,018 Fine of $5,000 Professional costs $1,125.
01 Feb 2021	Reece H	Hume Online Magistrates' Court	Dunn	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $25,978.40 18 month Community Corrections Order with conditions that the accused be under the supervision of the Office of Corrections, perform 100 hours of unpaid community work, undergo assessment and treatment for drug issues and undertake offender rehabilitation programs.
18 Dec 2020	Ali A	OMC Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Smith	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $26,243.85 Fine of $5,000 Professional costs of $1,320
14 Dec 2020	Cameron K	OMC Werribee Magistrates' Court	Pitthouse	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $44,482.91 Fine of $10,000 Professional costs of $500
04 Dec 2020	Khushminder P	OMC Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	McNamara	Plea of guilty Without conviction $20,335 repaid to the TAC prior to the matter being heard Fine of $1,000 Professional costs of $1,320
22 Oct 2020	Craig S	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Ballek	Plea of Guilty With conviction Restitution of $28,731.50 12 month Community Corrections Order with one condition that the accused undertake 100 hours of unpaid community work
08 Oct 2020	Elizabeth E	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Lethbridge	Plea of Guilty With Conviction Restitution of $14,377.59 Fine of $4,000 Professional Costs of $500
17 Sep 2020	Abdul M	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Lethbridge	Plea of Guilty With Conviction 4 year Good Behaviour Bond with strict conditions that the accused repay all monies owed to the TAC within the four year period.
12 May 2020	Magdalena M	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	Connellan	Plea of Guilty With Conviction 12 month Community Corrections Order, perform 160 hours of unpaid work, be under the supervision of the office of corrections, and undergo assessment and treatment for offending behaviours Restitution of $103,570.23
05 May 2020	Mitchell L	Bendigo Magistrates' Court	McRae	Plea of Guilty With Conviction 18 month Community Corrections Order, to perform 300 hours of unpaid work, be supervised by the office of corrections and to undergo treatment for mental health issues Restitution of $25,035.85 was repaid to TAC prior to sentencing
16 Mar 2020	Brooke L	Wodonga Magistrates' Court	Dunn	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $3,406.50 12 month Community Corrections Order, undertake 50 hours of unpaid work & undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues
19 Dec 2019	George M	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Gattuso	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $31,933.44 12 month Community Corrections Order must perform 150 hours of unpaid work
19 Dec 2019	Fouzia M	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Gattuso	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $52,756.20 18 month Community Corrections Order must perform 200 hours of unpaid work
19 Dec 2019	Mustafa Y	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Gattuso	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $52,756.20 18 month Community Corrections Order must perform 200 hours of unpaid work
04 Dec 2019	Seyed G	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Ballek	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $80,360 12 month Community Corrections Order must perform 120 hours of unpaid work
04 Dec 2019	Vikwesh S	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Ballek	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $3,900 to be repaid on a repayment plan of $400 per month commencing on 4/1/2020 Fine of $500
29 Nov 2019	Paul D	Ringwood Magistrates' Court	Wighton	Plea of guilty With Conviction Restitution of $25,628.82 Community Corrections Order with conditions that he performs 120 hours of unpaid work and undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues
21 Nov 2019	Nicholas I	Ringwood Magistrates' Court	Starvaggi	Plea of guilty With Conviction Restitution of $18,067 Fine of $2,500 Professional Costs of $500
14 Nov 2019	Amy P	Seymour Magistrates' Court	Cottrill	Guilty With conviction Restitution of $8,529.12 Fine of $1,750
23 Oct 2019	Viney K	Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Trumble	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $8,191.30 18 month Good Behaviour Bond
21 Oct 2019	Luke A	Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Hoare	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $30,950.25 Fine of $3,000
03 Oct 2019	Alexandria M	Sunshine Magistrates' Court	Pitthouse	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $7,995 12 month Community Corrections Order during which the accused is to perform 200 hours of unpaid work
03 Oct 2019	Chethuri H	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	McRae	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $15,114.20 ($3,000 had already been repaid by the accused) 12 Month Good Behaviour Bond with a condition that the accused make a donation of $500 to the Road Trauma Awareness Services $500 in costs
04 Sep 2019	Stephen W	Shepparton Magistrates' Court	Mithen	Plea of guilty Conviction Restitution of $53,238.71 Professional costs of $500 12 month Community Corrections Order with the following conditions, (1) Supervision by the Office of Corrections for the duration of the order. (2) Must perform 100 hours of unpaid community work.
02 Sep 2019	Ashley C	Latrobe Magistrates' Court	Studham	Plea of guilty Conviction Restitution of $112,054 18 month Community Corrections Order with the following conditions, (1) Supervision by the Office of Corrections. (2) Must undergo Mental Health Treatment and programs, and (3) Must perform 250 hours of unpaid community work.
15 Aug 2019	Tobias S	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Gattuso	Plea of guilty Conviction Fine of $4,000 Client repaid the fraud amount of $24,758 prior to sentencing.
18 Jul 2019	Viorel F	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	Bolster	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Fine of $2,000
16 Jul 2019	Tina K	Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Hoare	Plea of guilty Conviction Fine of $3,000 Restitution of $42,289.46
11 Jul 2019	Cameron F	Geelong Magistrates' Court	Lesser	Plea of guilty Conviction Imprisonment of 92 days (3 months) with a period of 92 days reckoned as served 12 Community Corrections Order with condition that the accused perform 120 hours of unpaid work in that period Restitution of $118,885.02 Professional costs of $500
27 Jun 2019	John S	Ballarat Magistrates' Court	Saines	Plea of guilty Conviction 6 month custodial sentence Professional costs of $1,000
06 Jun 2019	Corina F	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	Spencer	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Fine of $4,000 Restitution of $17,640 Professional costs of $500
06 Jun 2019	Simone S	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	Spencer	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt 12 Month Community Corrections Order Perform 200 hours of unpaid community work Restitution of $11,853
05 Jun 2019	Peter D	Melbourne Magistrates' Court	Fitzgerald	Plea of guilty With conviction 24 Month Community Corrections Order Perform 240 hours of unpaid community work Undergo treatment for drug addiction Restitution to the TAC of $24,286.12
03 Jun 2019	Alexander B	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Ballek	Plea of guilty With conviction 12 Month Community Corrections Order Perform 200 hours of unpaid work Undergo assessment and treatment for drug and mental health issues Restitution to the TAC of $14,814.72 Professional costs of $500
09 Apr 2019	Emidio M	Geelong Magistrates' Court	Coghlan	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Fine of $2,000 Professional costs of $500
29 Mar 2019	Rebecca W	Ballarat Magistrates' Court	Jones	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt 12 Community Corrections Order – to complete 150 hours of community service Professional Costs of $500 Restitution of $19,530.07 ($21,400 was paid prior to the plea)
25 Mar 2019	Ricky B	Shepparton Magistrates' Court	Farram	Plea of guilty With conviction Fine of $2,500 Restitution of $36,214.14 - Stay to 22/09/2019 was granted
29 Jan 2019	Mohamed N	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Warda	Plea of guilty With conviction 18 month Community Corrections Order and to undergo a mental health assessment and subsequent treatment as part of the order Restitution of $29,143.68 Costs of $500
08 Jan 2019	Adrian K	Geelong Magistrates' Court	Raleigh	Plea of guilty With conviction 12 Month Community Corrections Order Restitution of $51,654
20 Dec 2018	Leon J	Melbourne Magistrates' Court	Bott	Plea of guilty With conviction 13 Month Community Corrections Order $116,611 repaid to TAC prior to the matter being heard
12 Dec 2018	Raymond R	Bendigo Magistrates' Court	Southey	Plea of not guilty With conviction Restitution of $10,710 Costs of $2,581 Fine of $5,000
29 Nov 2018	Brendan B	Sunshine Magistrates' Court	Burns	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $25,835.37 Costs of $500 12 Month Community Corrections Order with condition that 100 hours of unpaid work be performed
15 Nov 2018	Emily G	Ringwood Magistrates' Court	Bolster	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $11,065.20 Fine of $2,000 Legal costs of $500
01 Nov 2018	Joel S	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	McCrae	Plea of guilty With conviction 150 hours of unpaid community work 12 month Community Correction Order - to undergo a mental health assessment and treatment as part of this order Restitution of $31,700.55.
17 Oct 2018	Lovnish M	Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Grinberg	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt 12 Month good behaviour bond $1,000 donation to the Court Fund During the plea in mitigation the accused made representation that he was willing to repay all monies owed to the TAC immediately. The accused repaid the full amount owed to the TAC being $5,262.50 and $500 in TAC costs prior to sentencing by the magistrate.
18 Sep 2018	Andrew T	Moorabbin Justice Centre	Barrett	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $55,559.06 Fine of $5,000 12 Month Community Corrections Order with conditions: The conditions of the order were that the accused perform 150 hours of unpaid community work, undergo mental health assessment and treatment and undergo programs to reduce the chances of re-offending.
05 Sep 2018	Douglas G	Dandenong Magistrates’ Court	Bazzani	Plea of not guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $97,802.27 Fine of $5,000 Accused lodged an appeal against the decision and sentence.
16 Aug 2018	Sophea M	Dandenong Magistrates’ Court	Wardell	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $88,062 12 Month Community Corrections Order with conditions: The conditions of the order were that the accused be under the supervision of the Office of Correction for the duration of the order, that the accused undergo drug assessment and treatment and undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues.
28 Jun 2018	Abu A	Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court	Grinberg	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $38,643.60 200 hours of unpaid community work and treatment and rehabilitation as part of a 12 month Community Correction Order
25 Jun 2018	Victoria U	Werribee Magistrates’ Court	Burns	Plea of guilty With conviction 150 hours of unpaid community work as part of a Community Corrections Order Restitution of $20,114
16 Apr 2018	Karlie C	Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court	Burchill	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt 2 Year good behaviour bond Restitution of $15,140.54 Professional costs of $500
03 Apr 2018	Ljupce K	Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court	O'Callaghan	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Fine of $300
21 Mar 2018	Muhammad Y	Melbourne County Court	Higham	The appeal was heard on 21/03/2018 and His Honour Judge Higham at the Melbourne County Court on the two charges as previously appealed to a 12 month Community Corrections Order, with conditions that the accused be under the supervision of the Office of Corrections for the entire time and that the accused perform 100 hours of unpaid community work. The judge also ordered that the accused pay the TAC compensation in the amount of $44,529.98
15 Feb 2018	Lazar K	Ringwood Magistrates’ Court	McNamara	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $5,907.50 Fine of $2,000 Costs of $500
06 Feb 2018	Peter B	Werribee Magistrates’ Court	Burns	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $6,384.52 Fine of $750 Costs of $500
15 Dec 2017	Muhammad Y	Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court	Fallah	Plea of guilty Aggregate term of 2 months imprisonment to be served immediately Restitution of $44,529.98 Costs of $550.00
07 Dec 2017	Marcus F	Melbourne Magistrates’ Court	Bourke	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Fine of $1,800 Costs of $500
01 Nov 2017	Anthony L	Neighbourhood Justice Centre Collingwood		Plea of guilty Sentenced with a finding of guilt Placed on 12 month good behaviour bond Need to repay $4,615.51
27 Sep 2017	Catherine P	Assessment & Referral Court at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court	Collins	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt 12 month good behaviour bond with condition to seek treatment as directed by the court
31 Aug 2017	Ekrem K	Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court	Grinberg	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $34,014 Fine of $12,000 Professional costs of $500
17 Aug 2017	Phillip S	Ringwood Magistrates’ Court	Sargent	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $13,500 Fine of $1,000 Professional costs of $500 Court costs of $119.90
17 Jul 2017	Alex N	Melbourne Magistrates’ Court	Holzer	Plea of guilty With conviction Fine of $3,000 3 months imprisonment wholly suspended for 2 years Restitution of $33,154.10 Professional costs $500.00
28 Jun 2017	Mark P	Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court	Alger	Plea of guilty With conviction Fine of $3,000 Restitution of $29,987 Professional costs $500.00 Stay for payment of fine to 21/12/2017
02 Jun 2017	Agostino V	Sunshine Magistrates’ Court	Pitthouse	Plea of guilty Charge 1: Conviction and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment wholly suspended for 2 years Charge 2: Conviction and fine of $5,000 Restitution of $54,636.89 Professional costs $500.00
27 Apr 2017	Molood M	Dandenong Magistrates’ Court	Connellan	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $22,774.93 Professional costs of $500.00 Fine of $1,200.00
05 Apr 2017	Jade S	Sunshine Magistrates’ Court	Fitzgerald	With conviction Restitution of $3,000 with a stay of 3 months to pay the Restitution 12 Community Correction Order to perform 50 hours of unpaid community work
16 Mar 2017	Paul H	Geelong Magistrates’ Court	Coghlan	Plea of guilty With conviction Sentence 4 months imprisonment Restitution of $34,989.67 Statutory costs of $119.90 Professional costs of $500 Appeal Hearing date 4 April 2017 at Geelong Country Court: Her Honour Judge Campton suspended the sentence for 12 months. Her Honour identified that the accused had no significant priors, the plea of guilty and the amount involved compared with other cases warranted that the sentence be suspended rather than an immediate term to serve.

Fraud and compliance

The TAC will not tolerate fraudulent or corrupt activities against its interests and will vigorously pursue parties engaged in such practices or attempting to do so.

How to make a report

Fraud and the TAC

Read the TAC Compliance and Enforcement Policy

Prosecutions

How to make a report

Fraud and the TAC

Fraud is dishonest activity or potential financial loss to the TAC including theft of moneys or other property by employees or persons external to the TAC. This includes:

the deliberate falsification, concealment or destruction of documentation
falsified documentation used or intended for use for a normal business purpose
the improper use of information or position.

The following are examples of fraudulent behaviour:

knowingly submitting a false claim
providing false information
working whilst on compensation benefits
altering a medical certificate
submitting false travel expense claims
claiming for services which were not given (service providers) and
providing false invoices, medical certificates.

Actions that may be taken by the TAC

Following an investigation, the TAC may:

Commence criminal proceedings under relevant provisions of the TA Act or relevant criminal legislation
Issue a letter of caution to the person
Determine whether civil action should be taken to recover compensation amounts overpaid
Refer the matter to the Victoria Police, the Coroner, the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) or another body (including professional or trade regulatory bodies such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Legal Services Board) or
Take no further action.

Any employee found to have engaged in, or concealed any such behaviour, may be disciplined, and their employment may be terminated.

TAC billing review program

The TAC has a Billing Review Program to ensure that payments for services provided to TAC clients are reasonable and appropriate. For more information please refer to:

Preventing, Detecting and Investigating Fraud 2020/21

The TAC utilises a comprehensive toolkit of analytical methods, intelligence gathering and reporting techniques to identify potential fraud and claim anomalies.

In attempting to disrupt fraud and change client/provider behaviour across the scheme the following enforcement action was taken during 2020/21:

TAC’s Prosecutions & Enforcement Committee have approved fifty (50) criminal briefs of evidence to be dealt with through the Magistrates Court. TAC is alleging fraudulent behaviour against the scheme totalling $2,633,053 and in all cases will be seeking full restitution.
There are nine (9) cases where arrest warrants are outstanding where TAC is seeking to recover $387,510.
Thirteen (13) court cases have been finalised with a registered plea of guilty with TAC awarded a total of $293,119 in restitution.
Cases that have not met the prosecution threshold are dealt with through the TAC’s principal means of achieving a change of behaviour and prompt voluntary compliance. Nineteen (19) warning letters were sent for breaches of the Act relating to fraud and providing false information to the TAC by clients as well as Medical and Service Providers, which include demands for reimbursement.

Prosecutions

Date	Defendant	Court	Judge/ Magistrate	Result
07 Oct 2021	Ali N	Werribee Online Magistrates' Court	Wardell	Plea of Guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $7,680.87 Fine of $5,000 Professional costs of $1,145.
01 Oct 2021	Jesse H	Ringwood Online Magistrates' Court	Wighton	Plea of Guilty With Conviction Restitution of $46,023.64 Fine of $3,000
15 Sep 2021	Blaze M	Heidelberg Online Magistrates' Court	Altman	Plea of Guilty With Conviction Restitution of $84,771.20 repaid by client prior to the hearing Fine of $5,000 Professional Costs of $1,986
10 Sep 2021	Harrison L	Melbourne Magistrates' Court	McKenna	Plea of Guilty With Conviction Restitution of $94,811.01 Professional Costs of $1,986 18 month Community Corrections Order with condition that the accused undertake 200 hours of unpaid community work and undergo a mental health assessment and treatment.
20 Aug 2021	Colin M	Sunshine Magistrates' Court (online)	Masood	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Fine of $400.
07 Jul 2021	Matthew W	Geelong Magistrates' Court	Mellas	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $10,808.72. $6,500 was paid prior to hearing with $4,308.72 still to be repaid to the TAC Fine of $4,000 Professional costs of $1,125.
01 Jul 2021	Robert E	Werribee Magistrates' Court sitting at Sunshine	Pithouse	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $10,127.19 to the TAC Fine of $1,000 Professional costs of $2,190.
28 Jun 2021	Iman B	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court Online	NcNamara	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Accused repaid fraud amount of $17,275.25 to the TAC prior to the hearing Fine of $2,000 Professional Costs of $1,125.
28 Jun 2021	Melody S	Wangaratta Magistrates' Court Online	Martin	Plea of guilty With conviction 12 month Community corrections Order with conditions that the accused perform 160 hours of unpaid work; undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues; undergo programs to prevent re-offending and be supervised by the Office of Corrections Restitution of $43,859.40 to the TAC
22 Jun 2021	Trash H	Mildura Magistrates' Court	La Rosa	Plea of Guilty With conviction 2 year Community Corrections Order with conditions that the accused is supervised by the Office of Corrections; undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues and perform 50 hours of unpaid community wor Restitution of $15,000 Fine of $3,000.
22 Apr 2021	Jonathan H	Dandenong Online Magistrates' Court	Connellan	Plea of Guilty Finding of Guilt $4,441.87 repaid to the TAC prior to plea of guilty Fine of $3,000 Statutory Costs of $127 Professional Costs of $783.
12 Apr 2021	Semon L	Broadmeadows Online Magistrates' Court	Trumble	Plea of Guilty Finding of Guilt Restitution of $11,118.34 Professional Costs of $500 Good Behaviour Bond of 18 months Donation of $350 to Red Cross by 1/12/2021.
22 Mar 2021	Lacey B	Wangaratta Online Magistrates' Court	Faram	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $7,327.32 Professional costs of $1,000 Fine of $1.000 A stay to 19/06/2021 was also ordered to allow the accused to commence a repayment plan with the TAC.
23 Feb 2021	Jasit A	Sunshine Magistrates' Court	Masood	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $28,080.09 Professional costs $1,244.26 18 Month Community Corrections Order to perform 250 hours of unpaid work.
16 Feb 2021	Navpreet S	Sunshine Online Magistrates' Court	Robinson	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $16,018 Fine of $5,000 Professional costs $1,125.
01 Feb 2021	Reece H	Hume Online Magistrates' Court	Dunn	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $25,978.40 18 month Community Corrections Order with conditions that the accused be under the supervision of the Office of Corrections, perform 100 hours of unpaid community work, undergo assessment and treatment for drug issues and undertake offender rehabilitation programs.
18 Dec 2020	Ali A	OMC Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Smith	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $26,243.85 Fine of $5,000 Professional costs of $1,320
14 Dec 2020	Cameron K	OMC Werribee Magistrates' Court	Pitthouse	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $44,482.91 Fine of $10,000 Professional costs of $500
04 Dec 2020	Khushminder P	OMC Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	McNamara	Plea of guilty Without conviction $20,335 repaid to the TAC prior to the matter being heard Fine of $1,000 Professional costs of $1,320
22 Oct 2020	Craig S	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Ballek	Plea of Guilty With conviction Restitution of $28,731.50 12 month Community Corrections Order with one condition that the accused undertake 100 hours of unpaid community work
08 Oct 2020	Elizabeth E	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Lethbridge	Plea of Guilty With Conviction Restitution of $14,377.59 Fine of $4,000 Professional Costs of $500
17 Sep 2020	Abdul M	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Lethbridge	Plea of Guilty With Conviction 4 year Good Behaviour Bond with strict conditions that the accused repay all monies owed to the TAC within the four year period.
12 May 2020	Magdalena M	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	Connellan	Plea of Guilty With Conviction 12 month Community Corrections Order, perform 160 hours of unpaid work, be under the supervision of the office of corrections, and undergo assessment and treatment for offending behaviours Restitution of $103,570.23
05 May 2020	Mitchell L	Bendigo Magistrates' Court	McRae	Plea of Guilty With Conviction 18 month Community Corrections Order, to perform 300 hours of unpaid work, be supervised by the office of corrections and to undergo treatment for mental health issues Restitution of $25,035.85 was repaid to TAC prior to sentencing
16 Mar 2020	Brooke L	Wodonga Magistrates' Court	Dunn	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $3,406.50 12 month Community Corrections Order, undertake 50 hours of unpaid work & undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues
19 Dec 2019	George M	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Gattuso	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $31,933.44 12 month Community Corrections Order must perform 150 hours of unpaid work
19 Dec 2019	Fouzia M	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Gattuso	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $52,756.20 18 month Community Corrections Order must perform 200 hours of unpaid work
19 Dec 2019	Mustafa Y	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Gattuso	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $52,756.20 18 month Community Corrections Order must perform 200 hours of unpaid work
04 Dec 2019	Seyed G	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Ballek	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $80,360 12 month Community Corrections Order must perform 120 hours of unpaid work
04 Dec 2019	Vikwesh S	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Ballek	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $3,900 to be repaid on a repayment plan of $400 per month commencing on 4/1/2020 Fine of $500
29 Nov 2019	Paul D	Ringwood Magistrates' Court	Wighton	Plea of guilty With Conviction Restitution of $25,628.82 Community Corrections Order with conditions that he performs 120 hours of unpaid work and undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues
21 Nov 2019	Nicholas I	Ringwood Magistrates' Court	Starvaggi	Plea of guilty With Conviction Restitution of $18,067 Fine of $2,500 Professional Costs of $500
14 Nov 2019	Amy P	Seymour Magistrates' Court	Cottrill	Guilty With conviction Restitution of $8,529.12 Fine of $1,750
23 Oct 2019	Viney K	Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Trumble	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $8,191.30 18 month Good Behaviour Bond
21 Oct 2019	Luke A	Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Hoare	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $30,950.25 Fine of $3,000
03 Oct 2019	Alexandria M	Sunshine Magistrates' Court	Pitthouse	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $7,995 12 month Community Corrections Order during which the accused is to perform 200 hours of unpaid work
03 Oct 2019	Chethuri H	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	McRae	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Restitution of $15,114.20 ($3,000 had already been repaid by the accused) 12 Month Good Behaviour Bond with a condition that the accused make a donation of $500 to the Road Trauma Awareness Services $500 in costs
04 Sep 2019	Stephen W	Shepparton Magistrates' Court	Mithen	Plea of guilty Conviction Restitution of $53,238.71 Professional costs of $500 12 month Community Corrections Order with the following conditions, (1) Supervision by the Office of Corrections for the duration of the order. (2) Must perform 100 hours of unpaid community work.
02 Sep 2019	Ashley C	Latrobe Magistrates' Court	Studham	Plea of guilty Conviction Restitution of $112,054 18 month Community Corrections Order with the following conditions, (1) Supervision by the Office of Corrections. (2) Must undergo Mental Health Treatment and programs, and (3) Must perform 250 hours of unpaid community work.
15 Aug 2019	Tobias S	Frankston Magistrates' Court	Gattuso	Plea of guilty Conviction Fine of $4,000 Client repaid the fraud amount of $24,758 prior to sentencing.
18 Jul 2019	Viorel F	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	Bolster	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Fine of $2,000
16 Jul 2019	Tina K	Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Hoare	Plea of guilty Conviction Fine of $3,000 Restitution of $42,289.46
11 Jul 2019	Cameron F	Geelong Magistrates' Court	Lesser	Plea of guilty Conviction Imprisonment of 92 days (3 months) with a period of 92 days reckoned as served 12 Community Corrections Order with condition that the accused perform 120 hours of unpaid work in that period Restitution of $118,885.02 Professional costs of $500
27 Jun 2019	John S	Ballarat Magistrates' Court	Saines	Plea of guilty Conviction 6 month custodial sentence Professional costs of $1,000
06 Jun 2019	Corina F	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	Spencer	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt Fine of $4,000 Restitution of $17,640 Professional costs of $500
06 Jun 2019	Simone S	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	Spencer	Plea of guilty Finding of guilt 12 Month Community Corrections Order Perform 200 hours of unpaid community work Restitution of $11,853
05 Jun 2019	Peter D	Melbourne Magistrates' Court	Fitzgerald	Plea of guilty With conviction 24 Month Community Corrections Order Perform 240 hours of unpaid community work Undergo treatment for drug addiction Restitution to the TAC of $24,286.12
03 Jun 2019	Alexander B	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Ballek	Plea of guilty With conviction 12 Month Community Corrections Order Perform 200 hours of unpaid work Undergo assessment and treatment for drug and mental health issues Restitution to the TAC of $14,814.72 Professional costs of $500
09 Apr 2019	Emidio M	Geelong Magistrates' Court	Coghlan	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Fine of $2,000 Professional costs of $500
29 Mar 2019	Rebecca W	Ballarat Magistrates' Court	Jones	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt 12 Community Corrections Order – to complete 150 hours of community service Professional Costs of $500 Restitution of $19,530.07 ($21,400 was paid prior to the plea)
25 Mar 2019	Ricky B	Shepparton Magistrates' Court	Farram	Plea of guilty With conviction Fine of $2,500 Restitution of $36,214.14 - Stay to 22/09/2019 was granted
29 Jan 2019	Mohamed N	Heidelberg Magistrates' Court	Warda	Plea of guilty With conviction 18 month Community Corrections Order and to undergo a mental health assessment and subsequent treatment as part of the order Restitution of $29,143.68 Costs of $500
08 Jan 2019	Adrian K	Geelong Magistrates' Court	Raleigh	Plea of guilty With conviction 12 Month Community Corrections Order Restitution of $51,654
20 Dec 2018	Leon J	Melbourne Magistrates' Court	Bott	Plea of guilty With conviction 13 Month Community Corrections Order $116,611 repaid to TAC prior to the matter being heard
12 Dec 2018	Raymond R	Bendigo Magistrates' Court	Southey	Plea of not guilty With conviction Restitution of $10,710 Costs of $2,581 Fine of $5,000
29 Nov 2018	Brendan B	Sunshine Magistrates' Court	Burns	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $25,835.37 Costs of $500 12 Month Community Corrections Order with condition that 100 hours of unpaid work be performed
15 Nov 2018	Emily G	Ringwood Magistrates' Court	Bolster	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $11,065.20 Fine of $2,000 Legal costs of $500
01 Nov 2018	Joel S	Dandenong Magistrates' Court	McCrae	Plea of guilty With conviction 150 hours of unpaid community work 12 month Community Correction Order - to undergo a mental health assessment and treatment as part of this order Restitution of $31,700.55.
17 Oct 2018	Lovnish M	Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court	Grinberg	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt 12 Month good behaviour bond $1,000 donation to the Court Fund During the plea in mitigation the accused made representation that he was willing to repay all monies owed to the TAC immediately. The accused repaid the full amount owed to the TAC being $5,262.50 and $500 in TAC costs prior to sentencing by the magistrate.
18 Sep 2018	Andrew T	Moorabbin Justice Centre	Barrett	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $55,559.06 Fine of $5,000 12 Month Community Corrections Order with conditions: The conditions of the order were that the accused perform 150 hours of unpaid community work, undergo mental health assessment and treatment and undergo programs to reduce the chances of re-offending.
05 Sep 2018	Douglas G	Dandenong Magistrates’ Court	Bazzani	Plea of not guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $97,802.27 Fine of $5,000 Accused lodged an appeal against the decision and sentence.
16 Aug 2018	Sophea M	Dandenong Magistrates’ Court	Wardell	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $88,062 12 Month Community Corrections Order with conditions: The conditions of the order were that the accused be under the supervision of the Office of Correction for the duration of the order, that the accused undergo drug assessment and treatment and undergo assessment and treatment for mental health issues.
28 Jun 2018	Abu A	Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court	Grinberg	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $38,643.60 200 hours of unpaid community work and treatment and rehabilitation as part of a 12 month Community Correction Order
25 Jun 2018	Victoria U	Werribee Magistrates’ Court	Burns	Plea of guilty With conviction 150 hours of unpaid community work as part of a Community Corrections Order Restitution of $20,114
16 Apr 2018	Karlie C	Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court	Burchill	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt 2 Year good behaviour bond Restitution of $15,140.54 Professional costs of $500
03 Apr 2018	Ljupce K	Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court	O'Callaghan	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Fine of $300
21 Mar 2018	Muhammad Y	Melbourne County Court	Higham	The appeal was heard on 21/03/2018 and His Honour Judge Higham at the Melbourne County Court on the two charges as previously appealed to a 12 month Community Corrections Order, with conditions that the accused be under the supervision of the Office of Corrections for the entire time and that the accused perform 100 hours of unpaid community work. The judge also ordered that the accused pay the TAC compensation in the amount of $44,529.98
15 Feb 2018	Lazar K	Ringwood Magistrates’ Court	McNamara	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $5,907.50 Fine of $2,000 Costs of $500
06 Feb 2018	Peter B	Werribee Magistrates’ Court	Burns	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $6,384.52 Fine of $750 Costs of $500
15 Dec 2017	Muhammad Y	Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court	Fallah	Plea of guilty Aggregate term of 2 months imprisonment to be served immediately Restitution of $44,529.98 Costs of $550.00
07 Dec 2017	Marcus F	Melbourne Magistrates’ Court	Bourke	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Fine of $1,800 Costs of $500
01 Nov 2017	Anthony L	Neighbourhood Justice Centre Collingwood		Plea of guilty Sentenced with a finding of guilt Placed on 12 month good behaviour bond Need to repay $4,615.51
27 Sep 2017	Catherine P	Assessment & Referral Court at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court	Collins	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt 12 month good behaviour bond with condition to seek treatment as directed by the court
31 Aug 2017	Ekrem K	Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court	Grinberg	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $34,014 Fine of $12,000 Professional costs of $500
17 Aug 2017	Phillip S	Ringwood Magistrates’ Court	Sargent	Plea of guilty With conviction Restitution of $13,500 Fine of $1,000 Professional costs of $500 Court costs of $119.90
17 Jul 2017	Alex N	Melbourne Magistrates’ Court	Holzer	Plea of guilty With conviction Fine of $3,000 3 months imprisonment wholly suspended for 2 years Restitution of $33,154.10 Professional costs $500.00
28 Jun 2017	Mark P	Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court	Alger	Plea of guilty With conviction Fine of $3,000 Restitution of $29,987 Professional costs $500.00 Stay for payment of fine to 21/12/2017
02 Jun 2017	Agostino V	Sunshine Magistrates’ Court	Pitthouse	Plea of guilty Charge 1: Conviction and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment wholly suspended for 2 years Charge 2: Conviction and fine of $5,000 Restitution of $54,636.89 Professional costs $500.00
27 Apr 2017	Molood M	Dandenong Magistrates’ Court	Connellan	Plea of guilty With a finding of guilt Restitution of $22,774.93 Professional costs of $500.00 Fine of $1,200.00
05 Apr 2017	Jade S	Sunshine Magistrates’ Court	Fitzgerald	With conviction Restitution of $3,000 with a stay of 3 months to pay the Restitution 12 Community Correction Order to perform 50 hours of unpaid community work
16 Mar 2017	Paul H	Geelong Magistrates’ Court	Coghlan	Plea of guilty With conviction Sentence 4 months imprisonment Restitution of $34,989.67 Statutory costs of $119.90 Professional costs of $500 Appeal Hearing date 4 April 2017 at Geelong Country Court: Her Honour Judge Campton suspended the sentence for 12 months. Her Honour identified that the accused had no significant priors, the plea of guilty and the amount involved compared with other cases warranted that the sentence be suspended rather than an immediate term to serve.