Financial Crimes Squad detectives have charged a woman as part of an investigation into suspected corruption at the East Metropolitan Health Service.
It will be alleged the woman, who was employed by the East Metropolitan Health Service in a clerical role, used confidential information to secure procurement contracts for goods used by her employer.
It will be alleged the woman set up a private business for the purposes of securing the business arrangement and used a false identity when communicating with East Metropolitan Health Service in relation to the supply of goods. At no time did the employee identify herself as being involved with the private business or declare a conflict of interest with her employer.
Between 2016 and 2019 the employee’s private business secured 203 orders for goods valued at $123,759. All the goods were legitimately required by East Metropolitan Health Service and all the ordered items were delivered.
On Thursday 25 June 2020 detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad executed a search warrant at the woman’s Golden Bay residence.
A 68-year-old woman from Golden Bay has been charged with ‘Public Officer Unlawfully Acts on Knowledge/Information Obtained by their Office’. She is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday 24 July 2020.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ken FOSTER from the Financial Crimes Squad said the allegations being put before the court highlight the well-planned structure and processes the employee put in place to conceal her involvement from her employer.
“These offences represent a breach of public trust and an abuse of a public position for personal financial gain. The alleged offences are not just about the conflict of interest of a public officer, but the unlawful use of confidential information and the impact such conduct has on other, legitimate, businesses who are competing for government contracts and who ultimately miss out on work they may have otherwise secured.”
