Former federal MP Craig Thomson has been charged by police after allegedly using fraudulent documents to receive $25,000 from the state government’s COVID-19 small business grants.

Mr Thomson allegedly used falsified information and successfully applied for both the NSW Small Business COVID-19 Support grant and the COVID-19 Small Business Hardship grant.

He also allegedly submitted a fraudulent application to receive $3000 a fortnight in JobSaver payments – which were not approved or paid.

Mr Thomson also allegedly signed and submitted a fraudulent document in an attempt to obtain a rent reduction.

He will face the charges at Gosford Local Court on Wednesday.

“In November 2021, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad and all Sydney Metropolitan Regions established Strike Force Sainsbery to investigate fraudulent applications made against NSW Government financial relief schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters,” a statement from NSW Police said.

He will face the charges at Gosford Local Court on Wednesday.Credit:James Brickwood

“Following extensive inquiries, detectives travelled to Gosford Police Station following the arrest of a 57-year-old on an unrelated matter [on Tuesday]“.

In December, Strike Force Sainsbery arrested a 21-year-old man who was charged with 52 offences relating to alleged fraudulent applications for business grants totalling $530,000.

At the time, minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott vowed the new strike force would result in many arrests.

“Bogus claims are a fraud against every person in NSW, especially those who’ve been doing it tough,” Mr Elliott said.

“These types of schemes are intended to ease financial pressures outside of an individual’s control, like the pandemic or natural disasters; they’re not for fraudsters to treat themselves to a good time.

“We know that people are fed up with these types of crooks and this strike force will stop at nothing to bring them to justice,” he said.

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