An Indian man and an aboriginal man and his wife have been charged over an alleged National Disability Insurance Scheme fraud that allegedly netted one of the accused more than $1 million.
Manbir Rooprai, 32, Richard John Kennedy, 36, and Charlene Gatt, 31, were arrested on Wednesday by a NSW Police strike force set up to investigate reports of alleged NDIS fraud through an unregistered support services in Kempsey and the surrounding area.
Police searched homes in South West Rocks, Arakoon and Sydney on Wednesday and arrested the trio, who were taken to Kempsey Police Station and charged.
Kennedy was charged with three counts of dishonestly intend to obtain a gain, attempt to dishonestly intend to obtain a gain, and deal in indictable crime proceeds: money/property =>$1million.
He was also hit with eight separate charges including reckless grievous bodily harm, larceny, using an offensive weapon to commit an indictable offence, and two other assault charges, The Mid-North Coast News reported.
Rooprai was charged with four counts of dishonestly intend to obtain a gain, and two counts of attempt to dishonestly intend to obtain a gain, and Gatt was charged with attempt to dishonestly intend to obtain a gain.
Police will allege in court that fraudulent invoices were submitted for services not provided to vulnerable NDIS participants.
Kennedy and Rooprai both faced Kempsey Local Court on Thursday where they did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody. Gatt was granted strict conditional bail after being charged on Wednesday, and will face the same court on April 10.
Rooprai’s LinkedIn states that he works as the General Manager of a South West Rocks-based NDIS support provider called Your Future Support Services, which lists Kennedy as the Director/Owner and says it provides “cultural mentoring programs” in addition to NDIS services.
“Your Future Support Services is an Aboriginal organisation serving people with disabilities across the Mid-North Coast, Armidale, Tamworth, Taree, Newcastle and surrounds,” the website states.
