http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au
A GRANDMOTHER was found guilty of defrauding taxpayers of more than $77,000 through Centrelink welfare benefits .
Between August 2002 and August 2008, Patricia Mary Stapleton, 71, of Richmond, claimed an age pension while still working as a parking officer for Hawkesbury City Council.
Over the six-year period, taxpayers paid a total of $77,720 in social security payments - an amount that has now been paid back in full.
Mrs Stapleton received 157 payments of almost $500 a fortnight before she was caught by the Australian Taxation Office. She was given a 12-month suspended sentence and a good behaviour bond because of her previous good character and clean record.
