Employee Theft at Australian Mint
You’d think a national mint would have better security against insiders.
But Justice Connolly also criticised security at the mint, saying he was amazed a theft on this scale could happen.
The court heard Grzeskowiac, 48, of the southern Canberra suburb of Monash, simply scooped coins from the production line into his pockets before transferring them to his boots or lunchbox in a toilet cubicle.
Over a 10-month period he walked out with an average of $600 a day.
Justice Connolly expressed astonishment that the mint’s security procedures were so lax.
“I find it hard to believe that 150 coins could be concealed in each boot and a person could still walk through the security system,” he said.
Justice Connolly also said he was amazed the mint could give no indication of just how many coins had actually gone missing.
“I would like to think those working at the other mint factory printing $100 notes might be subject to a better system of security,” he said.
dm • June 27, 2006 8:27 AM
I remember reading about this a few months ago. I too was very surprised at how easy it was to steal.