A Blackbutt woman will spend years behind bars after a Wollongong District Court judge sentenced her for a brazen, near-decade-long fraud that siphoned almost $2.5 million from a Warilla business she was trusted to manage.
Systematic Fraud Uncovered After Bank Alert
Lynne Marie Geoghegan's crime spree finally unravelled in March 2024 when the National Australia Bank raised the alarm over a suspicious transaction. The bank contacted a manager at Shellharbour Roofing Services, where Geoghegan worked as an accounts clerk. When questioned, Geoghegan produced a fake invoice to justify the transfer.
The deception deepened when, just over a week later, NAB informed the manager the funds had been deposited into an account under Geoghegan's own name. A check with the supposed supplier confirmed they had never issued such an invoice or received the payment.
This discovery triggered a full audit, revealing a staggering pattern of theft. Geoghegan had begun her offending a mere two months after starting her employment in 2015. Over the course of almost nine years, she orchestrated 108 separate fraudulent transactions, funnelling a total of $2,461,371.51 into three of her personal bank accounts.
Court Hears of 'Deep Sense of Betrayal'
Geoghegan, who had been in custody since pleading guilty in March, appeared via video link from prison for her sentencing on Monday before Judge Andrew Haesler. The court heard that her largest single theft was a $42,000 transfer in 2018.
Judge Haesler emphasised the profound impact of Geoghegan's crimes, stating they caused a "deep sense of betrayal" that extended far beyond the substantial financial loss. He acknowledged Geoghegan's expressed remorse and insight, but noted she was an intelligent woman who must have felt some guilt during her lengthy offending, yet continued regardless.
The judge took into account her mental health conditions and lack of prior criminal history, which would make her time in custody more onerous. He also noted that while Geoghegan had offered reparation from the sale of her family home—potentially around $350,000—the business remained out of pocket by more than $2 million. Civil proceedings to recover the funds are ongoing.
Substantial Prison Term Imposed
In handing down the sentence, Judge Haesler jailed Geoghegan for six and a half years. He set a non-parole period of four years, making her eligible for potential release on parole in March 2029.
The sentencing prompted a visible reaction from a supporter in the Wollongong courtroom, who put her head in her hands as the term was announced. Geoghegan was arrested in April 2024 after the audit exposed the full scale of her deception, which relied on creating fake invoices on legitimate company letterhead but with her own bank details inserted.
This case serves as a severe reminder of the devastating impact of trusted employee fraud on regional Australian businesses, with the sentencing closing a major chapter in a complex financial crime that spanned the better part of a decade.
