Murdoch Uni manager jailed for ‘strategic, persistent, corrupt behaviour’
A Murdoch University executive who transferred more than $1 million worth of business to a company founded by his wife and close friend was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.
Dario Pacifici was hired as the university’s facilities manager in March 2021 but was sacked 18 months later after it was revealed he had instructed staff to start using BM OnDemand Pty Ltd, a company he was secretly involved with but did not disclose.
Dario Pacifici was transferring a contract to a company he was involved with while working at Murdoch University.
The company earned $1.06 million from its work on campus, prompting the Corruption and Crime Commission to prepare a report alleging serious misconduct by Pacifici.
The company’s listed directors were Pacifici’s then-fiancée, now-wife Joshna Shrestha, and a high school friend.
Pacifici was arrested and charged with being a corrupt public official in the performance of his/her duties.
He was sentenced in the WA District Court on Thursday, with Judge Charlotte Wallace harshly criticizing Pacifici’s attempt to “minimise” his offending and telling him he was motivated by nothing other than greed.
“This was deliberate, strategic, persistent and corrupt behavior,” Wallace said.
“There was nothing instantaneous in the commission of this crime. Corruption can sometimes be instantaneous, but not here. There was planning, there was foresight.”
The court was told Pacifici skipped the tender process for the maintenance of the university campus but claimed he did so “to ensure the most reliable contractor was recruited”.
