Natalie Hammond had been a trusted staffer for nearly two decades when her television production company employer uncovered fraud that had “rollercoasted” to a loss of about $1 million.
The now 71-year-old said she defrauded Hoodlum Active to help her drug-addicted son — although she also bought clothes, jewellery and massages.
During 18 years of employment, Hammond rose to manage the company’s finances, using the position to fraudulently obtain almost $1 million, the Brisbane District Court was told on Tuesday.
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The Emmy and BAFTA award-winning company Hoodlum, which produced Land of Bad starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth, operates between Australia, the US and the UK.
Hammond transferred money into her own account, taking about $470,000 from separate project accounts on about 290 occasions, falsified invoices, filled out blank cheques and opened a wine delivery account valued about $500 in her employer’s name.
When a forensic accountant hired by Hoodlum uncovered some fraud committed over two years, Hammond said she had helped “pay for her son’s drug purchases” and bought food, clothing and jewellery.
Further investigations found Hammond defrauded the company over six years and four months from 2013.
Hammond told police of an estimated $300,000 fraud over three to four years, rather than the nearly $1 million detected, saying she intended to pay it back but things “rollercoasted”.
Betrayal causes stress ‘through the roof’
The fraud was a betrayal by someone considered a confidante over two decades and a profound blow that had a devastating impact emotionally and financially, Hoodlum director Tracey Robertson told the court.
“I couldn’t sleep, my stress was through the roof, it strained my family and forced the return to Australia to salvage our company’s integrity and financial health,” Robertson said in a portion of her statement read by Judge Katherine McGinness.
“A close-knit and creative business brings with it trust and therefore a vulnerability — both of which you have betrayed and exploited to meet your own selfish needs.”
Hammond, who has no previous convictions, was diagnosed with major depressive, anxiety and alcohol use disorders.
Her son successfully preyed on her for money to support his significant heroin addiction over many years, the court was told.
McGinness acknowledged Hammond was under emotional pressure, and her offending may have been to help her son.
“However, the evidence shows you also used the proceeds to purchase items that you did not need,” she added, referring to jewellery, massages and clothing.
Taking into account Hammond’s guilty plea, McGinness sentenced her to eight years behind bars.
Her parole eligibility date was set after serving 20 months in jail.
If you are concerned about yours or a loved one’s use of alcohol or other drugs, call for free, confidential advice, information and counselling from the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 250 015.