A former Australian Bureau of Statistics employee from Dapto has been convicted and sentenced after admitting to defrauding the Commonwealth agency of more than $2,500.
Fraudulent claims submitted over nine assignments
Leigh-Ann Marie Shields, aged 49, pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court on January 14, 2026 to obtaining a financial advantage from a Commonwealth entity. The court heard that over a two-month period in 2024, Shields submitted 23 false or inflated claims for nine separate work assignments.
These fraudulent actions resulted in her illegally receiving a total of $2,503.19. The breakdown showed she obtained $1,421.64 for work she did not perform and a further $1,081.55 for kilometres she never travelled.
A breach of trust against the public
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie strongly condemned Shields's actions, describing them as a significant breach of trust. "You had to have known what you were doing wasn't right but you still went ahead," Magistrate Beattie told the court.
She emphasised that the offence was not just against the employer, but against the Australian public whom Shields had effectively defrauded. The prosecution noted the conduct was deliberate and consistent, though not at the most severe end of the scale.
Defence argues hardship, not greed, was the motive
Shields's defence solicitor, Matthew Ward, argued his client acted out of need, not greed. He told the court Shields was experiencing severe personal and financial hardship at the time of the offences.
Mr Ward stated the consequences had been "devastating" for Shields, who lost a job she loved after 16 years of service with the ABS, where she worked as a quality and support officer. He described her as a 49-year-old with no prior criminal history who had punished herself deeply.
The defence pushed for no conviction to be recorded, but this was rejected by the magistrate. Australian Federal Police executed a search warrant at Shields's home on August 28, 2024, with Shields later telling officers, "I know that I've done the wrong thing and I know I'm guilty ... I am so sorry."
The final sentence and order
Despite the defence's submissions, Magistrate Beattie convicted Shields and imposed a 15-month Commonwealth Recognizance Release Order. The magistrate highlighted how Shields had flouted the trust placed in her by inflating her claims.
The court also heard about a 15-month delay in the proceedings, which the Commonwealth attributed to the inherent difficulties in detecting fraud. Mr Ward rejected this explanation as "illogical."
