Qld: Gambler jailed for stealing from indigenous group

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2007
Qld: Gambler jailed for stealing from indigenous group

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, Feb 15 AAP - A man who stole almost $400,000 from an indigenous community
service group so he could feed his gambling addiction has been jailed for at least 18
months.

David Mohr, 62, stole the money over a six-year period while he was the chief financial
officer for Bynoe Community Advancement Co-operative Society Ltd in Normanton, in far
north Queensland.

The Brisbane District Court heard that he siphoned the money into his bank account
and then used the cash to play the pokies at his local hotel.

Mohr pleaded guilty today to one count of fraud as an employee of a sum greater than
$5,000, and one count of stealing as a servant.

He was sentenced to six years for the first charge, and three years for the second,
but will be eligible to apply for parole in August next year.

The court was told the misappropriation of money started in October 2000, but was not
picked up until last year, during an audit of the company's finances.

A thorough investigation eventually uncovered 533 occasions where Mohr had stolen money
from Bynoe, which provides youth, employment and housing services for the indigenous community.

The amount stolen during the six years totalled $385,575.

Mohr had been working for Bynoe for 16 years when he was charged, and the court was
told he had been "trusted implicitly" by the small community.

Judge Michael Forde said this betrayal of trust was the most disturbing element of
the offence, and that the theft would adversely affect the community for years to come.

"The failure of programs in that area would have a catastrophic effect on that community,"

he said.

"Your dishonesty has meant a cutback on non-essential spending ... and as a result
donations in general have been cut back.

"Your breach of trust has had catastrophic effects on people who you probably know quite well."

In sentencing, Judge Forde took into account Mohr's "deep and genuine remorse" and
his co-operation with police.

AAP cf/sp

KEYWORD: MOHR

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