A Perth-based manager-cum-fashion designer who went on trial in the West Australian District Court, earlier this month has been found guilty of stealing almost $163,000 from her former employer.
Chaynika Sethi was convicted on all 98 counts of ‘stealing as a servant’ from Maylands Physiotherapy clinic, where she worked as a practice manager for ten years.
Judge Christopher Stevenson granted her bail to allow her to make arrangements for her two children and ordered her to surrender her passport. Ms Sethi will be sentenced on Friday, August 30.
Chaynika Sethi faces jail time for stealing almost $163,000 from her former employer. Source: Instagram
Ms Sethi who worked as a part-time manager at the clinic siphoned money from the establishment’s bank accounts and later transferred the money to her own account over a 21-month period.
The court heard that she was reeling under financial stress with personal loans, mortgage and credit card arrears at the time and may have reasoned her actions because her employer, Arran McDiven appeared well-off.
But it turned out that the 45-year-old physiotherapist, who testified in the court during a previous hearing, was struggling with his own financial problems, and was forced to sell his new house and move his children from private to public school.
Mr McDiven told the court that he discovered theft in 2017 when he stumbled upon an unusual payment, and when he confronted Ms Sethi, she became visibly affected and started “shaking and crying.”
She told him that she had stolen between $10,000 and $20,000 from him over two years, the court heard.
The mother of two explained to him that she was having financial problems after her husband’s business failed.
But rather than firing her, Mr McDiven retained her as staff after Ms Sethi agreed to return the sum and also surrendered her and her family’s passports so she couldn’t escape without paying him back, the court heard.
Chaynika Sethi Source: Instagram
She started and she just couldn't stop," said Prosecutor Sarah Kavanagh.
Mr McDiven sent multiple texts to Ms Sethi over the next few weeks, and he was informed that her father was sending her money from India.
She attempted to get a loan against the equity in her home to raise the money but didn’t work out.
When Mr McDiven suggested she sell the property, she “took it badly,” and accused him of harassing her threatened to “ruin his reputation and the clinic’s,” the court heard.
During the trial, Ms Sethi claimed that she didn’t steal $162,805, but it was transferred to her account by Mr McDiven "for staying silent" after he allegedly groped her during a physiotherapy session, a claim which was dismissed by the prosecution as a “complete fabrication.”
Defense counsel Sean O'Sullivan told the court that his client would repay the sum.
Parth-based fashion designer, Chaynika Sethi posing with her award. Source: Instagram
Her profile on her fashion label's website describes her as a "Sought-after (fashion designer) both locally and internationally, her signature ‘Power Suits’ — featured in British Vogue 2018— have built a stylish fan base amongst the fashionistas."
With inputs from AAP.
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