A gambling addict has walked free after admitting he stole tens of thousands of dollars from an online fundraiser to support the family of a murdered woman.
Lachlan Morganti, 26, appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court on Tuesday for sentencing a week after pleading guilty to a single charge of theft.
He was supported by his family and partner when Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz sentenced him to a two-year community corrections order and 400 hours of unpaid work.
The 26-year-old nodded his head.
The court was told Morganti set up a GoFundMe to support the family of the woman allegedly murdered Hannah McGuire on April 5 this year.
He met the family, who ran the National Hotel in Clunes, through their support of Clunes Cricket Club where he played.
“Hannah was known by many as a bright young woman and had a heart of gold,” the fundraiser said.
“All proceeds will go towards funeral expenses and other expenses the family may need during this difficult time.”
Lachlan Morganti, 26 (pictured), was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order with treatment and unpaid work.
Hannah McGuire (pictured) was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Lachlan Young in April.
Breaking its initial goal of $15,000 in four days, GoFundMe raised more than $64,000 in generous donations from the community.
The funds landed in Morganti’s bank account on April 24, but he almost immediately began gambling with them, losing the entire amount within four or five days.
After his arrest, Morganti told police he had an “uncontrollable” gambling addiction and internally justified it by believing he would only use a small portion of it to settle his mounting gambling debts.
Morganti confessed the loss to McGuire’s mother, Debbie, the following month, and she reported the incident to police.
“I accept that the act of creating the GoFundMe was an altruistic act, that it was a selfless act to benefit the grieving McGuire family,” Ms Mykytowycz said.
“However, the temptation to use this money to recover previous debts became overwhelming and self-indulgent.”
The court was previously told that GoFundMe had promised to refund donors, but the McGuire family had received nothing.
Hannah McGuire’s parents, Debbie and Glenn McGuire (pictured), attend court for Morganti’s sentencing on Tuesday.
Morganti knew the McGuire family who run The National Hotel (pictured) in Clunes.
In a statement to the court, Debbie McGuire said it was important to note that no one from her family had asked for support or for Morganti to start a GoFundMe.
He said Morganti had the “audacity” to attend Hannah’s funeral among many of those whose contributions he had stolen.
“The defendant not only violated our trust, he completely disregarded the trust and generosity of an entire community,” he said.
Last week, Morganti’s attorney said Morganti had deep and sincere remorse for the crime, but explained that he had been experiencing significant mental health problems and was self-medicating with gambling and alcohol.
“At first he tried to do the right thing, but the situation reached the point of no return,” he said.
His defense asked for a sentence that did not include a prison sentence, but the police argued that imprisonment was open for the “deplorable” crime.
Morganti (pictured) will have to receive treatment for alcohol and gambling addiction and mental health counseling, as well as 400 hours of unpaid community service.
Hannah’s ex-boyfriend Lachlan Young, 22, formally pleaded not guilty to murder last month (the couple are pictured outside a property they bought together).
Hannah’s body was found by emergency services in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd outside Ballarat on April 5.
Her ex-boyfriend, Lachlan Young, 22, formally pleaded not guilty to murder last month and decided to fast-track his case to the Supreme Court of Victoria for trial.
His next court appearance will be later this month.