Trio get bail over alleged $71m Defence contract fraud
T Three men accused of fraud and corruption worth more than $70 million in defense construction contracts have been released on bail with strict conditions.
Michael Buckley and couple Dallas and Natalie Wynne appeared in Darwin Local Court on Monday after spending the weekend behind bars following their arrest on Friday.
It follows a joint agency investigation after the Ministry of Defense reported irregularities in the awarding of contracts worth around $71 million to Northern Territory business M+J Building and a subsidiary.
The AFP alleges Commonwealth Defense employee Dallas Wynne, his wife and M+J Building manager Buckley conspired to influence the awarding of contracts to companies in order to dishonestly profit from Defence.
The Crown did not oppose bail on Monday and Judge Jonathan Bortoli granted it with strict conditions, saying the allegations were very serious.
“There are always risks when there are large sums of money allegedly obtained through deception, especially flight risks.” he said.
The trio appeared separately and their next hearing date was set for February 17.
The court heard they were likely to go to a Supreme Court case.
Bail conditions require the trio to surrender their passports, not leave the NT without permission and report to police once a week.
They can only have a mobile phone and cannot use encryption devices.
After signing the bail papers, the trio were rushed past the media to waiting cars outside the court, surrounded by their families and supporters.
All three were charged with dishonestly obtaining benefits from a government agency called the Department of Defense, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Dallas Wynne was also charged with criminal misconduct in public office, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Investigations continue following the seizure of phones, laptops and cash following Friday’s arrests and property raids.
The Australian Federal Police said abuse of public office or corruption was a serious breach of public trust.
“Defrauding the Commonwealth is a crime that prevents public funds from being used to support the wider Australian society,” AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said in a statement. he said.
“We will not hesitate to investigate suspected criminal activity to bring criminals to justice.”
