The reputation of the Aboriginal Local Health Service has been shattered by an elaborate scam involving two former SA Health employees, the Adelaide District Court has heard. Tabitha Lean,40, and her husband Simon Craig Peisley, 37, were convicted last month of 47 charges of deception and one of attempted deception. Their trial heard the couple sent relatives, friends and even their children’s school concocted threats as well as packages of what appeared to be bloodstained children’s clothing. Lean was worried she might lose her job as director during a review of the local health service in early 2012, and claimed to be receiving death threats. Her husband also worked for the service. The fake threats to harm the pair and their family led SA Health to pay for their relocation from their home at Elizabeth to a serviced apartment at North Adelaide, and the agency covered other costs including interstate travel and medical appointments. In sentencing submissions, victims’ rights commissioner Michael O’Connell read a community impact statement on behalf of the Aboriginal Local Health Service. “The crimes perpetrated by Ms Lean and Mr Peisley had an impact on a large number of individuals, the Aboriginal community as well as the broader community,” he said. “The deception, amongst other things, has caused shock, shame, embarrassment and anger.” Mr O’Connell said there had been a notable decline in people using what had been a well-respected health service.
