Return to work not so fine

A DEVON Meadows man received a one-year suspended sentence and was ordered to repay more than $70,000 for failing to inform the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) he had returned to work.
Shane Kelly, 27, appeared in the Dandenong Magistrates Court on 17 April and was found guilty of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and contravening the Transport Accident Act 1986 by claiming payments when he was not entitled.
Mr Kelly failed to inform the TAC he had returned to work while still receiving benefits from the organisation. Mr Kelly had provided the TAC with 13 separate “full incapacity” medical certificates.
Mr Kelly received a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to repay the full amount of $74,323 and professional costs of $750.
A TAC spokesperson said the organisation took fraud very seriously and, where there was evidence of misconduct, the TAC would exercise its powers to investigate and prosecute.