A Queensland mother allegedly fleeced almost $200,000 from disaster relief funds set up for victims of one of the state's worst flood events.
Michelle Yvette Jones, 49, is on trial in Brisbane accused of dishonestly claiming money intended for those who were hit hardest by the 2011 flood disaster.
Jones pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud on day one of her trial in the Brisbane District Court on Monday.
It's alleged she falsely claimed she and her three children lived in an Ipswich property that was damaged in the devastating flood.
In reality, Crown prosecutor Carly Whelan alleged, while Jones did own the one-bedroom house she actually lived with her partner elsewhere and leased the property to a tenant.
In her opening statement, Ms Whelan said Jones claimed $680 in emergency relief on the spot at a recovery centre on January 15, 2011.
She allegedly later claimed $197,094, which was paid out over three payments, from the premier's disaster relief fund.
The fund was set up to help people whose homes had been inundated or structurally damaged.
Jones signed claim forms saying her home at Ipswich had lost power, suffered structural damage, was uninhabitable and that she and her three children required temporary accommodation, according to Ms Whelan.
"At no point did the accused reside or have any property at that address," Ms Whelan said.
The alleged fraud was discovered when Jones' tenant also made a damage claim.
Defence barrister Andrew Boe said Jones admitted receiving the payments and also that she hadn't lived at the Ipswich home before January 15, 2011.
Mr Boe said he'll be arguing Jones was misconceived about the details of the documents in which she signed.
The trial has been set down for four days before Judge Sarah Bradley.
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