A federal government worker, his wife and directors of a Northern Territory building company have been charged over an alleged $71 million fraud and corruption scheme.
The Australian Federal Police, supported by the Department of Defence and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), raided properties across Darwin on Friday, seizing Indonesian cash, electronic devices, a firearm, jewellery, and illicit drugs believed to be cocaine.
The AFP said it launched Operation Panton Hill in March this year after a report of crime from the Department of Defence in relation to the alleged awarding of contracts to the business.
The trio were all charged with one count of dishonestly gaining a benefit from a Commonwealth entity, and the Commonwealth employee was also charged with one count of abuse of public office.
The charges carry up penalties of up to 10 years in jail.
The AFP alleges all three were involved in a conspiracy to influence the awarding of tenders to their company, with the intention of dishonestly gaining a benefit from the Department of Defence.
“It is further alleged the Commonwealth employee exploited his position to influence the allocation of building contracts to the building company and a subsidiary company owned by the co-conspirators,” the AFP said.
A NACC spokesperson said detecting and investigating alleged corruption in complex procurement activities such as this was a strategic priority for the Commission.
“The Commonwealth public sector spends tens of billions of dollars on procurements each year, and corruption in these activities can lead to substantial loss and waste, decreased service quality, and reduced confidence in the public sector,” the spokesperson said.
Department of Defence Deputy Secretary Governance, John Reid, said: “Public confidence in the integrity of Defence and its personnel is essential.
“We are committed to ensuring all Defence employees and industry partners are held to the highest standards of integrity.”
Header image: Left, right, two of the three people being arrested on Friday (AFP)
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