ING accountant sentenced to 7 years for stealing

Rajina Rita Subramaniam, a Sydney-based accountant, got a seven year jail sentence for stealing A$45 million from her employer, ING Holdings.

The New South Wales District Court in Sydney, Judge Michael Finnane, described the size of the amount stolen as "staggering". The amount was stolen over a five-year period.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to 22 counts of obtaining benefits by deception and four counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Police found 21 boxes stored under her desk and in an adjacent area in her workplace containing large quantities of jewellery, fountain pens, champagne, crystal and Michael Jackson memorabilia, according to the judge.

"The agreed facts demonstrate that she became accepted as a wealthy woman and a very desirable customer of a number of large jewellery firms," the judge said.

At times she would spend millions of dollars in a single lunch hour and she lavished gifts on the shop assistants.

"Her gifts of A$1.3 million to one shop assistant and something like A$240,000 to another shop assistant are consistent with her wanting to be loved and accepted," Judge Finnane said.

It was also stated that Subramaniam had frequent sex with an ING supervisor. Her husband admitted that he joined in the sexual activity, which sometimes happened between them in motel rooms or at their home.

Subramaniam told police the frequent sexual intercourse she had with the supervisor at work was part of her ill treatment by staff.

"She claims that part of the reason for engaging in fraud was resentment towards ING and her wanting revenge," the judge said.

The judge set a maximum term of 15 years.

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