Siva Kadiminisetty given suspended sentence over bank fraud

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Siva Kadiminisetty received a three-year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Martin Nolan said a custodial sentence would not be appropriate. The proceedings were reported on 4 November 2019.

Kadiminisetty pleaded guilty to using a false passport to open a bank account on 10 February 2009 and to four charges of stealing cash at Dunnes Stores in Rathmines and Stephen’s Green on dates in July and August 2012.

The report said more than €25,000 was stolen from the bank over eight weeks through a banking glitch. Garda Nicola Connolly said false cheques were lodged into the bank account and cash was withdrawn before the bank could properly clear them. Three accounts had been set up and funds were transferred between them.

Kadiminisetty told gardaí he passed money to a friend who had asked him to help with the fraud by opening false accounts. He admitted using some for college fees, groceries and flights to India. He said he acted to take money that was not his, but claimed he was not the only beneficiary.

Defence counsel Oisin Clarke said Kadiminisetty was in dire financial straits when the friend approached him with an easy way to make money. Counsel said he accepted having a role but had no money to live on at the time. Judge Nolan described the crime as one of deviousness and deception, but noted that Kadiminisetty had no criminal record, had a good work history and was unlikely to reoffend.