Artist who faked his OAM to boost profile facing jail term
A Brisbane artist will plead guilty to faking top Australian honours to boost his profile, a court has heard.
An artist faked his OAM to help boost his profile (file image).
Neville William Gentry, 52, is charged with 10 counts of fraud and one count of improper use of service decorations alongside a host of other fake credentials.
Police said Gentry fraudulently claimed to be the recipient of the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and other false academic credentials to attend several events while attempting to organise meetings for his artwork business.
The Order of Australia recognises achievement and service with nominations for the award coming from the community.
Gentry also allegedly made fraudulent claims during multiple interactions with customers between January and April, police allege.
“The service and merit awards allegedly used in these matters hold significant value to all Australians, and it is important the integrity and merit of these accomplishments are upheld,” police said at the time of his arrest.
Several replica items, including lapel pins and medallions, were seized in a search of Gentry’s home on April 30.
He appeared briefly in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he was remanded until June 21 for sentence.
He refused to comment on the charges outside court.
