ATO Employee Charged with Alleged Corruption and Child Abuse Material Offences
A Gold Coast man has been charged with allegedly disclosing information to organised crime syndicates while working at the Australian Taxation Office. The 32-year-old man has been suspended without pay and is due to face court later this month.
A 32-year-old man from the Gold Coast has been charged with serious corrupt conduct while working in the public service. The man, who was employed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), allegedly disclosed information to organised crime syndicates.
The charges were laid as part of a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and the ATO. The investigation included a raid on a home in Surfers Paradise, where electronic devices were seized.
According to officials, the man disclosed information obtained in his capacity as a Commonwealth official to organised crime syndicates. This conduct is classified as corruption under the NACC act and carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment.
ATO deputy commissioner Nicholas Shizas described the allegations as "despicable".
"It is a disservice to the over 20,000 dedicated and honest ATO employees, who carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity," he said in a statement.
"Australians can be assured that the ATO remains unwavering in its commitment to identifying misconduct and ensuring there are serious consequences for those who betray the trust of the community."
The AFP said the man was a level 4 employee of the Australian Public Service who had been suspended without pay. Deputy Commissioner of National Security Hilda Sirec said:
"We have long been aware of members and associates of organised crime groups trying to corrupt people with access to sensitive law enforcement information, so it's concerning when we identify alleged instances of this classified information being made available to them."
"The AFP … will work to ensure organised crime groups are not in a position to undermine the safety of our community by having channels to access information that helps them avoid law enforcement attention."
The electronic devices seized at the Surfers Paradise home also uncovered alleged child abuse material. The 32-year-old has been charged with two counts of possess or control child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, and 15 counts of use carriage service for child abuse material. Both offences carry a maximum penalty of 15 years' jail.
"The discovery of child abuse material during a corruption investigation demonstrates why investigators carefully examine all evidence, and we are unapologetic in our methods or approach," Deputy Commissioner Sirec said.
The man is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on September 21.