Failure to declare divorce leads to further turmoil for ADF member

Relevant impacts: Financial impact, government system impact and security impact.

An Australian Defence Force (ADF) member deliberately provided false information on numerous forms and on a statutory declaration to avoid notifying their superior or the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) of a change in their marital circumstances. As a result, they continued to receive a service residence benefit valued at $150,000, despite no longer living with a dependent.

DHA detected an anomaly in the ADF member's records which led to an investigation by the ADF member's superior. The investigation found a deliberate and sustained course of conduct to conceal they had separated and no longer lived with their marital partner.

The ADF member subsequently pleaded guilty to the fraudulent conduct and was sentenced in a District Court to an Intensive Corrections Order of 2 years and 8 months (a sentence of imprisonment served in the community). They were also ordered to perform 100 hours of Community Service.

The ADF member's service was terminated and the Department of Defence recovered the fraud loss.