Welfare fraud pulled off a $300,000 insurance scam by pretending to suffer from multiple sclerosis is accused of rorting Centrelink for more than $36,000
- A fraud who scammed insurance firm accused of rorting the system again
- Wendy Jane Lentini, 57, this week appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court
- Lentini admitted she falsely claimed a disability benefit for more than $36,000
- She is serving a jail term imposed for committing $300,000 insurance fraud
A woman who committed an $300,000 insurance scam by falsely claiming she had multiple sclerosis has been accused of rorting the system again.
Wendy Jane Lentini, 57, appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court jail via video-link this week, where she pleaded guilty to committing Centrelink fraud.
The Mount Tarampa woman, who is currently serving a jail term for insurance fraud, admitted to falsely claiming a disability benefit of $36,279.10, The Courier Mail reported.
Wendy Jane Lentini, 57 (pictured), who committed an $300,000 insurance scam by falsely claiming she had multiple sclerosis, has been accused of rorting the system again
Lentini was originally sentenced to five years jail back in March 2018 after a jury found her guilty of scamming the Commonwealth Bank’s Comminsure.
The court heard how she falsely claimed to have Multiple Sclerosis in order to receive a massive payout.
At the two-week trial Lentini said her husband Cammy Lentini was physically abusing her and she was suffering ‘battered wife syndrome’ when she committed her crimes.
Lentini was only discovered after her husband sent an email to authorities about his wife’s crime in 2012 – a decade after it took place.
At the time, Judge Dennis Lynch QC sentenced Lentini to five years jail, which was to be suspended after she served 18 months.
This week, Lentini said she committed the Centrelink between May 2012 and June 2015 – when she applied for a Disability Allowance.
In order to obtain the allowance, Lentini needed to provide an MRI Scan and a medical report.
The court heard how she enlisted the help of a woman who did actually suffer multiple sclerosis so she could provide the necessary documentation.
Lentini (pictured) was originally sentenced to five years jail back in March 2018 after a jury found her guilty of scamming the Commonwealth Bank’s Comminsure
Federal prosecutor Christine Wilson told the court Lentini was granted the allowance in August 2001 after Centrelink received the MRI and medical report.
Ms Wilson said the insurance fraud was only discovered after Lentini’s husband Cammy notified authorities prior to his suicide in 2012.
According to the federal prosecutor, Lentini failed to admit she didn’t suffer from the condition until May 2015 and knowingly participated in the Centrelink fraud.
Lentini, who was due to be released from jail on August 26, has only repaid Centrelink $4,314.44, Ms Wilson said.
Lentani appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court jail via video-link this week, where she pleaded guilty to committing Centrelink fraud
The federal prosecutor sought for extra jail time for the Centrelink scam to be added to the 57-year-old’s current sentence, which would be served cumulatively.
Lentini’s defence lawyer, Dale Hooper, asked for any additional penalty to be served concurrently with his client’s existing jail term.
He said Lentini was sorry for her offending and that she was suffering from mental health issues as a result, in addition to allegedly having two mini-strokes while in jail.
‘She realises what she has done is wrong and is ashamed of that,’ Mr Hooper said.
However, Magistrate Tracy Mossop said Lentini could have ‘come clean’ at any point but instead chose to continue receiving payments.
Lentini’s case has been adjourned until April 11.