Anti-corruption swoop on bribery and fraud in State Government departments, police and local councils

IBAC Commissioner, Stephen O’Bryan. Source: Supplied

 

BRIBERY, fraud and serious corruption investigations have been launched by Victoria’s anti-corruption agency into State Government departments, police and local councils. 

The Herald Sun can reveal the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission has executed 56 judge-approved search warrants as it ramps up its investigations into dishonesty in the public sector.

The agency, which in addition probes police misconduct, has said it is also investigating the misuse of information by public officials.

The step-up in anti-corruption activity comes a month Commissioner Stephen O’Bryan launched an investigation into the Lawyer X scandal which was first revealed in the Herald Sun.

To obtain a search warrant IBAC needs to satisfy a Supreme Court judge that it is necessary for it to carry out its investigation.

In some cases police can assist IBAC officers, who in some cases can be armed, in executing search warrants.

The increase in activity from IBAC comes after its first year of operation during which questions have been raised about what Victorians are getting for the $27 million the agency is costing each year.

In its first year of operation, IBAC began 24 investigations, 10 of which were completed while only one telephone intercept was requested by the agency.

In his annual report to Parliament last month, Mr O'Bryan warned Victorians expect reports this year on "significant possible serious corrupt conduct in the public sector".

That same report included research showing 17 per cent of public servants believed corruption had increased in the past five years, while 43 per cent of the public believe it had increased in the past three years.

Mr O'Bryan has requested the Napthine Government give it extra powers to probe misconduct, a request that Attorney-General Robert Clark has said is likely to be treated favourably.

IBAC spokeswoman Hazel Penfold said for legal and operational reasons IBAC cannot provide further details in relation to current investigation.

"IBAC has a number of ongoing investigations across the state and local government sectors as well as police, involving allegations of serious corrupt conduct, including matters such as bribery, fraud and misuse of information," she said.

heraldsun.com.au 21 May 2014

Whatever the corporate media is reporting it is only the tip of the iceberg, as it is well known within certain circles that corruption is on a grander scale.

Victoria police together with the sheriff's office are also involved in enormous criminal activities.

Only time will tell what 'truths' the corporate media will be allowed to report on without any distortion.