Leanne Hodoras, 51, pleaded guilty at Bendigo County Court yesterday to three charges of theft. She was sentenced to one year and three months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years, and fined $20,000. 

The court heard Leanne’s husband George was the only biological son of Campbells Creek’s Frank Hodoras. Frank also took responsibility for his ex-wife’s children from former relationships, John and Ted.

Leanne and George took over power of attorney of Frank’s estate in 2005 after he was admitted to hospital with dementia. 

Hospital staff said at the time Frank, then aged 89, was “alert but not orientated to time and place”.

Over the next three years, Leanne withdrew large amounts of money through cheque and cash withdrawals from Frank’s savings account.

She used the money to buy cars, gifts for her three children and decking construction at their house.

Money was also put into George’s business, Central Pipelines, and into paying their personal medical and tax bills. The couple sold Frank’s home in Campbells Creek, retrospectively valued at $210,000, to their daughter for $110,000 in 2007.

When questioned by the Office of the Public Advocate, Leanne maintained Frank authorised all transactions.

She said Frank wanted her children to have his money and “didn’t want the others to get it”.

Leanne and George were stripped of their role as power of attorney in 2009 and were ordered to pay $100,000 back into the estate. Frank died in 2009 at the age of 93.

In defence, barrister Rob Larkins said Leanne was responding to a “strange family dynamic” and had developed a false sense of entitlement. “Leanne went on the folly of her own thinking,” he said. 

“She convinced herself she was reflecting Frank’s wishes. She understands she shouldn’t have done what she has done and she’s paid the price.”

In sentencing, Judge Richard Maidment said he must punish Leanne for the significant breach of trust but took into account that this had “been hanging over her head since 2009”. “It was brazen and outrageous.”