A Brighton woman is facing jail for lying on her CV to secure multiple civil service jobs – some of which she worked at the same time.
Lewes Crown Court heard Gabriella Trevenen, 43, was paid about £250,000 over five years – and also took out a loan for a season ticket which she failed to return.
She admitted 14 counts of fraud, all in relation to lying about qualifications and experience on her CV or in job applications to a variety of employers including government departments, the UK Health and Security Agency, the Pensions Regulator and East Sussex County Council.
While she didn’t take up all of the job offers resulting from her fraudlent applications, she did sometimes take more than one job at a time.
She also admitted keeping a credit (the season ticket loan), having unauthorised access to a computer and possessing an article to be used for fraud.
She denied two counts of theft, relating to laptops and phones she was given by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which the prosecution said they would apply to have laid on file.
Prosecuting, Francesca Levett said Trevenen, of Withdean Crescent, has five convictions for 37 offences, all of which are fraud except one count of theft.
Trevenen was warned by Judge Joshua Swirsky that there was a real prospect of her being sent to prison, and that she should make plans accordingly.
Defending, Beverley Cherril said the £250,000 loss from the fraud was mostly a “notional” one, saying: “She was working. There was some criticism of her attendance but she did actually do the work.
“She’s actually working for that income, the loss is a little notional.
“She’s a woman with a lot of mitigation which it would be worth the court hearing.”
The hearing was adjourned so a pre-sentence report could be prepared. Trevenen will now be sentenced next year.
