Hello,
I am being investigated for Centrelink fraud because I had deliberately under-declared my income for a number of years. I am pretty sure my debt is going to be around $40000, if not a bit more. Is there any way possible to avoid being charged?
If I make a large lump sum payment of about $25000 - $30000 off the debt and arrange a payment plan for the remainder, would this help me avoid a jail sentence? I was a single mother of 2 at the time I started defrauding Centrelink and was struggling financially as my youngest child's father had left me with a lot of debt and I have been battling severe depression ever since.
In the last couple of months, I have entered a new relationship and my new partner is trying to help pay out my large debt to Centelink and I am seeing a financial counsellor to sort out all my other debts.
I am in a job that I love and just can't believe how stupid I have been. I am scared that my children will have no one if I go to jail as my youngest child's dad has nothing to do with her.
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I am so embarrassed and ashamed of what I have done. I am so scared I am going to lose everyone and everything!