Seddon psychologist and osteopath guilty of defrauding TAC

14 Jan 2010

MEDIA RELEASE: 14 January 2010

A psychologist and osteopath who operated from the same address in Seddon have been convicted of defrauding the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) of more than $17,000. 

36-year-old year old Sandra Nguyen, of Solutions Counselling and Assessment, and her 42- year-old husband Guiliano De Antonis, of Seddon Sports and Spinal Therapy Clinic, were found guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court of fraudulently obtaining a benefit from the TAC.

Ms Nguyen contravened the Transport Accident Act 1986 by claiming $14,770 for psychology consultations that were never provided.  During the period of offending, Nguyen invoiced the TAC in relation to 26 individual TAC clients.

Mr De Antonis contravened the Transport Accident Act 1986 by claiming $2,797 for osteopathic services that were never provided. During the period of offending, De Antonis invoiced the TAC for 23 individual TAC clients.

They were both found guilty of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and fraudulently obtaining a benefit. Both have since repaid the TAC the full amounts.

Nguyen and De Antonis were convicted and released on a community based order for 15 months with a condition to perform 50 hours of community work.

A TAC spokesperson said the organisation took fraud very seriously and where there was evidence of misconduct, the TAC would exercise its strong legislative powers to investigate and prosecute.

Nguyen and De Antonis were also found guilty of defrauding WorkCover of more than $60,000. They were convicted and released on a community based order for 15 months with a condition to perform 100 hours of community work.

For further information please contact: Amanda Bavin, (03) 5225 6591 or 0439 567 249.