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Further charges for Street Swags Founder

AAP January 30, 2017

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Former Young Australian of the Year finalist and founder of Street Swags Jean Madden has been charged with several more fraud-related offences.

Madden has maintained her innocence since she was charged in July over preventing access to charity bank accounts following allegations she misappropriated $441,000 from the homeless welfare group.

Police revealed on Monday they had charged the 37-year-old Brisbane woman with six more counts of fraud, one count of falsifying a record and one count of attempted fraud.

Madden’s lawyer Kris Jahnke had earlier told the Brisbane Magistrates Court the new charges were in relation to the existing case against her.

“It’s important to remember my client denies any wrongdoing,” Jahnke told reporters outside court.

“As I understand it, the new charges are intrinsically linked to the current offence before the court.

“It’s disappointing that this didn’t come to light six months ago.”

Madden is due to face court on the new charges on February 28, and the existing case has been adjourned to March 13.

Madden was the Queensland Young Australian of the Year in 2010 and national finalist after she set up Street Swags.

She founded Street Swags in 2010 to provide the homeless with canvas bags that convert to bedding.