Israeli Gets Two Years for Stealing Money from Parking Meters
A Russian-born Israeli has been jailed for his role in a scam in which security officers stole $377,000 from Melbourne parking meters.
Josef Andelman, a father of three, was convicted in Melbourne’s County Court earlier this month of 85 charges of theft. He was sentenced today by Judge Carolyn Douglas for up to four years with a minimum non-parole period of two years.
The court heard that $144,850 in cash was located in a safe in Adelman’s home and bank records showed that large amounts of coins were regularly deposited into his account.
Other members of the scam had pleaded guilty and had received suspended sentences, community service and a 12-month sentence. Andelman had pleaded not guilty. The former Israeli soldier has been ordered to pay compensation of $148,285.25.
The court heard that some coins failed to enter the secure collection boxes but the secure boxes could be forced open and repair costs to them had been recorded at more than $52,000. The offences covered a period fro July 2007 to October 2008.
Andelman had worked for a contractor who collected money from meters on behalf of the City of Melbourne.
Is he an Israeli national, a permanent resident of Australia or an Australian citizen? He’s been living in this country since at least 2007.
I don’t understand how “Russian born”, “Israeli” and “former Israeli soldier” are relevant to this story. Lots of stereotyping going on.
Michael.