The former chief executive officer has been found guilty of defrauding the Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation of more than $24,000.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The fraud case against Selena Joan Lyons, 49, has finally drawn to a close with a decision handed down in Wagga Local Court this week.
Following a hearing that spanned several days and about 20,000 pages of evidence – Lyons was found not guilty of four counts of using her position dishonestly to gain advantage.
However, she was found guilty of 24 counts of the same charge.
Magistrate Erin Kennedy ruled the fraud amount was to be settled at $24,837.65, rather than the original allegation of more than $31,000.
Lyons repeatedly denied rorting RivMed throughout the hearing, pleading not guilty to all 28 of the original charges.
The case still continues with Lyons yet to learn her fate and a sentence date set down for February 1 next year.
Lyons repeatedly claimed reimbursement for travel, accommodation and meals for attending meetings of organisations of which RivMed was affiliated when she had clear knowledge those costs would be, or had been, paid by those organisations.
The fraud was committed over a period of three years – from October 2011 until April 2014.
Prosecutor Caroline Dobraszcyzk told the court during final submissions in October that the CEO position Lyons assumed was one that demanded a high-level of behaviour and conduct.
“We are alleging she must’ve known and was obtaining money she wasn’t entitled to,” Ms Dobraszcyzk said.
“She clearly had information before sending the emails that they were providing accommodation and certain meals, but with the exception of one email, there were no references to that.
“What on earth would she be thinking she was getting that money for if food and accommodation was covered?”
Throughout the hearing Lyons’ solicitor, David Barron, told the court his client was a diabetic with specific dietary requirements.
He also quizzed RivMed’s finance manager about accounting practices.
While questioned on the stand, Lyons said she held two bank accounts in her own name and there were two other accounts in joint names with her husband.
