There's résumé inflation, and then there's RÉSUMÉ INFLATION

Plenty of people lie on their résumés. And some of them even get caught. But I'm guessing that even in an era when many employees are pretty serious about vetting, there are many small things that sneak through, especially in less easily checkable parts like titles, responsibilities, and dates.

But when it comes to résumé inflation, some folks go all out. 

One such person was Veronica Theriault who managed to con her way into a plush $185K (US) job in an executive level role for the South Australia government.

Along the way, she fabricated her educational credentials and past employment records. She faked up a reference from a Ms. Best (as in Be Best), who just happened to be Theriault's alter ego. In other words, Ms. Best just happened to be one and the same as Veronica Theriault. Needless to say, Ms. Best had fabulous things to say about Veronica Theriault. (Wonder if they asked my favorite reference-checking question: would you hire this person again? Which, in this litigious age, you probably can't ask anymore. Sigh.)

To ratchet up her salary, Theriault ginned up a fake pay slip that proved she was worth that much. And also came up with a fake doctor's letter attesting to her good health. (Hmmm. Who does that sound like? Anyone come to mind?)

Once Theriault got the job, she hired her equally-unqualified brother. Nepotism at play, but also a nice payback, as her brother had also given her a glowing reference. What's a family for?

Theriault lasted about a month as the chief information officer for South Australia’s Department of Premier and Cabinet, but eventually the ruse broke down. On Tuesday she was sentenced to 25 months in jail — 12 without the possibility of parole — after pleading guilty to deception, dishonesty dealing with documents and abuse of public office, ABC said. (Source: Washington Post)

The ruse came to light when Theriault had some sort of mental breakdown shortly after starting her new job.  

Theriault, according to her lawyer, had pulled off the scam while going through a mental health crisis. The judge took Theriault's bi-polar diagnosis into account when sentencing her, but wasn't going to let her get totally away. Especially given that she'd pulled a similar stunt in 2012. And in 2014. 

So this was something of a repeat performance.

The most bizarre aspect of this case is that Theriault had posted a picture on her LinkedIn profile. It was a very nice picture. It just didn't happen to be of Theriault. Theriault is a perfectly ordinary looking woman in her mid-forties. But on LinkedIn, she's the model Kate Upton, who is nearly 20 years Theriault's junior. And married to the baseball star Justin Verlander. 

Theriault is reportedly ashamed and embarassed. As she should be. She's also going to prison.

I'm always amazed when someone gets caught up in something like this. Or embezzling from their employer. Or leading a double life. Don't they worry about getting caught?

Of course, there may not be all that much to worry about. For all we know, for every scam that gets uncovered, there are dozens of people who get away with it. Maybe 90% of the time, this sort of crime does pay.

No word on who her brother has picture on his LinkedIn profile.  Maybe he's Justin Verlander.