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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Tim Piccione

Accused workplace fraudster allegedly paid self extra salary, faked invoices

A woman accused of fraudulently stealing more than $700,000 from her Queanbeyan employer allegedly created hundreds of illegitimate invoices and secretly paid herself an additional salary.

Rebecca Leigh Betts, 32, faced the Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday to formally deny allegations of financial deception.

She entered pleas of not guilty to five counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and three counts of stealing property as a clerk/servant.

Police allege Betts fraudulently obtained close to $736,000 between 2021 and 2023, when she worked as a clerk for Queanbeyan business Pro Plumbing & Gasfitting.

She is accused of creating 112 illegitimate invoices, totalling $620,000, and nominating herself as the payment recipient.

Rebecca Betts leaves court on Monday after pleading not guilty. Picture by Tim Piccione

Those invoices were allegedly paid into her personal bank account and through the business' accounting system alongside legitimate supplier invoices.

Betts is said to have paid herself an additional salary on 94 occasions, totalling more than $55,000, without her employer's knowledge.

She is accused of making 100 personal purchases, costing about $49,000, at Bunnings Warehouse and Officeworks using her employer's business account.

Police also allege the then-employee fraudulently used a company card to purchase fuel in NSW and the ACT, totalling more than $9000.

Other accusations against Betts include that she stole a welder kit from the business and charged the company account for personal vehicle servicing.

Magistrate Roger Clisdell gave parties until next year for the case's next mention, given he expected "it's going to be a big brief".

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