The partner of ex-Australian Border Force head Roman Quaedvlieg has avoided jail time despite her "blatant and sustained" deception during a 2017 corruption investigation into her landing an ABF job at Sydney Airport.
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Sarah Jane Chisholm Rogers, 24, in February pleaded guilty to telling Mr Quaedvlieg her summons to a secret federal integrity inquiry centred on claims he'd abused his power as ABF boss to help her get the job.
She also pleaded guilty to giving false evidence to the inquiry by claiming Mr Quaedvlieg had not advised her on the ABF recruitment process.
The scandal cost Mr Quaedvlieg his job in March 2018.
Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson on Monday convicted Rogers at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court and sentenced her to seven months of imprisonment for each offence, to be served concurrently via an intensive correction order including 100 hours of community service.
She won't serve any time in prison.
"She was told orally and in writing not to discuss (the inquiry)," Ms Atkinson said.
"The fact there was a relationship where partners disclose things doesn't provide an excuse ... it affects the way in which they may prepare for the (inquiry) matters."
Rogers first applied for an ABF trainee position in August 2016 and was rejected. She again sought employment in October 2016 as an irregular and international employee at the airport.
She falsely told the inquiry at her hearing in June 2017 that Mr Quaedvlieg had no input to her ABF application and recruitment.
"Roman had nothing to do with, like, giving me advice on how to do things or where to look for, you know," Rogers told the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity hearing.
However, Ms Atkinson said messages between the pair contradicted Rogers' statement, showing she had received extensive advice.
Mr Quaedvlieg in early August 2016 wrote to Rogers "actually I'll talk to you about this tomorrow to give you better guidance" in relation to a discussion on referees for her traineeship application.
He also gave her advice for a video interview later that month and provided potential questions and answers for the interview.
He again gave Rogers tips as she applied for the IIE position in October 2016 and said "you have to let me know if you hit any speed bumps".
She began training for the IIE position in December 2016.
Despite Rogers' youth and lack of previous convictions, the magistrate said a deterrent was required because she "deliberately obstructed" investigations by denying those conversations occurred.
"It is clear once the whole transcript is considered ... she knew what she was doing," Ms Atkinson said.
Medical reports confirmed Rogers was not suffering from an adjustment disorder or anxiety at the time of offending. She was subsequently diagnosed with the conditions.
Outside court, Rogers' lawyer, Bryan Wrench, said Monday's decision would be appealed but he declined to elaborate.
Australian Associated Press
