Edna Mary Mendes, 47, appears in Armidale Local Court charged with 56 fraud offences, accused of defrauding machinery business

Edna Mary Mendes is facing 56 separate white collar crime-related charges following her arrest by Armidale detectives.

The 47-year-old appeared in Armidale Local Court this week but is yet to enter pleas to the charges of dishonestly obtaining money by deception.

The Guyra woman is accused of defrauding the Armidale-based machinery business of approximately $90,000 between 2010 and 2013.

New England Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty told The Leader detectives launched an investigation into the suspected fraud on the business after anomalies were first discovered in 2014 and 2015.

“The investigation was launched following an audit of the business’ accounting system,” he said.

“The investigation involved a thorough and detailed review of the company’s accounts and financial processes and that has culminated in this arrest.

“This has been a lengthy, meticulous and tedious investigation involving the co-operation and assistance of the company and its employees.”

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The woman was arrested in September after handing herself into detectives for questioning at Armidale Police Station.

In court, magistrate Michael Holmes adjourned the case with Mendes to return to court in December for pleas to be entered. She remains on conditional bail.

Detective Sergeant Crotty said white collar crime was difficult to investigate.

“These types of investigations are tedious, arduous, and at times complex when trying to uncover white collar crime in the community,” he said.

“The operations involve detailed investigations, often following paper and electronic trails of financial systems of the various businesses and companies and detailed audits by specialists are required.”