Fugitive woman ‘had no choice’
mother-of-one the “benefit of leniency” after she pleaded guilty in Cairns Magistrates’ Court to four fraud-related charges.
“In my view the die was cast for the defendant when she was 16 … she really had no control over what occurred,” he said.
Outside court, Ms Eidson said there was never any question about revealing her true identity to authorities in the 26 years she has lived in Australia.
“Would you ever consider turning in your parents and losing your life?,” she said.
Ms Eidson and her parents, Patton and Sonja Eidson, made a pact in a Las Vegas hotel room in 1985 to apply for US passports in fake names after the family patriarch was caught bringing one tonne of cannabis into the country as part of a plan to import 20 tonnes of the drug.
The trio ran a spa retreat at Julatten for the majority of the past 26 years after arriving in Sydney in June, 1986.
Ms Eidson was known as Sharon Gregory, while her parents went under the names Michael and Anita McGoldrick.
Between 1996 and 2010, Ms Eidson – who has changed her name to Maya Major and now lives in Mackay – made numerous false declarations on forms, including ones for passports, visas and citizenship.
The trio’s offending was uncovered when US authorities realised the real Mcgoldricks were dead.
Mr Comans did not record a conviction against Ms Eidson, but placed her on a $2000, twoyear good behaviour bond.
The Federal Government has the right to revoke her citizenship on the basis it was applied for under false grounds, but can use its discretion not to do so.
Her parents have pleaded guilty to eight fraud-related offences each, and will appear in court at a later date.