An eastern Melbourne business manager has been forced to pay back $100,000 after defrauding Victoria’s workers’ compensation scheme, after running his consultancy service while receiving compensation payments.
41-year-old Dale Monk was sentenced in Ringwood Magistrates Court on Wednesday 11 May after pleading guilty to one charge of fraudulently obtaining workers’ compensation payments. He was convicted and fined $10,000 in addition to paying back $100,000.
The court heard Mr Monk received $150,120 in support payments until February 2021, after he lodged a claim for mental injury caused by a bullying allegation in June 2019.
After investigation, it was discovered Monk was secretly operating a consultancy service from November 2019 to September 2020 and earned around $19,000.
The court was told Mr Monk commenced three days of consultancy with a client the day after a doctor noted he was not working and issued medical certificates stating he was unable to work.
Worksafe insurance business unit executive director Roger Arnold said offences against the compensation scheme undermine public trust in it.
“Those who defraud the system for personal gain jeopardise the integrity of the entire scheme,” Mr Arnold said.
“Any fraudulent behaviour will be met with very serious, criminal consequences.”
