Former Vic liquidator walks over fraud

A Melbourne insolvency specialist has been spared immediate jail after being found guilty of rorting a federal government scheme that protects workers' entitlements when an employer goes into liquidation.

Andrew Leonard Dunner, 66, was found guilty by a County Court jury of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception when he made a false claim of more than $41,000 from an assistance program for workers who lose their jobs when their employer goes under.

Judge Jane Patrick on Monday jailed the former liquidator for 12 months but immediately released him on a two-year commonwealth recognizance release order requiring him to be of good behaviour, and ordered he pay $1200.