Michael Stanley Parker was sentenced to six months’ jail in Wollongong court this week after confessing to cheating the welfare system out of more than $50,000 over the space of four years.
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But, he believes he’s been dealt a harsh punishment.
In fact, he’s so incensed by the sentence he’s lodged an appeal against it.
Court documents reveal between 2009 and 2013, Parker regularly failed to properly declare earnings from his job at the WIN Entertainment Centre, while he was being paid a Newstart allowance.
He earned $110,740 from the WEC, but told Centrelink the amount was only $2048. He was paid $60,904 in Newstart, but was only entitled to receive about $10,000, meaning he was overpaid $50,368.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart slammed Parker’s deception and imposed the prison sentence in court on Thursday.
As a result of the appeal proceedings, Parker was granted strict bail until the matter is heard.
