Following a CCC investigation, Mrs Suzette Webster, an Education Queensland employee, was found guilty of fraud in relation to claiming sick leave and being absent from work without proper authorisation over a four-year period.
In 2019 and 2020, the CCC conducted a 12-month joint investigation with the Department of Education into the conduct of a number of staff members at Wellers Hill State School.
The investigation related to alleged improper procurement practices, excessive spending and misuse of public monies, corporate credit card fraud and nepotism.
Mrs Webster transferred to Wellers Hill State School in 2010 and was promoted to a Numeracy and Literacy Teacher. The CCC investigation showed that she took “sick days” or was otherwise absent from work, without taking leave from her duties, on 29 occasions over a four-year period.
During that time Mrs Webster was absent without taking leave, including on every Melbourne Cup Day, to attend social functions with her husband or friends.
Mrs Webster was charged on 13 October 2020 by a police officer from the CCC with 14 offences of fraud.
On 27 August 2021, Mrs Webster pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to one count of fraud that covered all her conduct in the original 14 charges.
Mrs Webster was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond of $1000, only payable on reoffending. No conviction was recorded.
Mrs Webster reimbursed the value of the leave she took, and this was taken into consideration at sentencing.