Fraudsters behind ‘devastating’ Canberra fraud plot avoid jail time

Three people who defrauded a Canberra electrical wholesaler — forcing the closure of two stores and the lay-off of staff — have avoided time behind bars.

Ricky Byrne, 50, and Steven Quilter, 46, were managers at POPES Electrical and Data Supplies store in Phillip, when, between 2016 and 2019, they used false invoices, refunds and the sale of stolen stock to defraud the business of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The pair would charge the purchase of electrical goods from Harvey Norman to their employer's credit card or account.

The items were then invoiced to POPES's larger customers who had made similar purchases, or returned with the refunds directed into their own personal accounts. 

The pair would also steal stock directly from their employer and, with the help of Quilter's wife, Lisa Quilter, 47, they would sell it to other businesses or on eBay.

The offending was uncovered in 2019, when one of POPES's clients queried their account.

Byrne and Quilter resigned a few weeks later.

A police search of the Quilters' Gold Coast home in March 2025 uncovered a range of electrical goods, including some with Harvey Norman receipts, consistent with items obtained during their offending.

Byrne and Steven Quilter were charged in the ACT Magistrates Court with money laundering, obtaining property by deception and theft, while Lisa Quilter was charged with money laundering.

All three pleaded guilty.

A business left devastated

Accountants found POPES recorded a loss of more than half a million dollars as a result of the offending, including $250,000 which had to be paid back to clients who had been deceived.

In sentencing the trio in the ACT Supreme Court today, Acting Justice James Stewart described the "devastating" impact of the offending on the wholesaler's business, which had to close two stores and lay off 12 staff to avoid financial collapse.

"The offending was organised and avoided detection for a considerable period of time," Acting Justice Stewart said.

"The offending was entirely dishonest and involved a gross breach of employee trust."

Acting Justice Stewart also said Lisa Quilter "knew the property she was selling was unlawfully obtained".

During their offending, Steven Quilter had been in the grip of a drug addiction, while Byrne had used the proceeds on gambling.

Nevertheless, Acting Justice Stewart said, "there are no satisfactory reasons for why these three offenders descended into dishonesty in their mid-lives".

He noted both men had since self-rehabilitated but said the only prospect of them being able to repay their victim was for them to continue working.

"The community appears to be safe from them reoffending," Acting Justice Stewart said.

All three offenders will serve their sentences in the community, by way of intensive corrections orders.

Byrne was sentenced to two years, Steven Quilter to 35 months, and Lisa Quilter to 18 months.

Byrne and Steven Quilter will also have to pay a combined $250,000 in reparations to their former employer.