ATO employee charged over alleged organised crime leaks, child abuse material
An ATO employee has been charged after allegedly leaking official information to organised crime associates, with investigators allegedly making a disturbing discovery during a raid on his Gold Coast home.
An Australian Taxation Office employee has been charged after allegedly leaking official information to organised crime associates, with investigators also allegedly uncovering child abuse material during a raid on his Gold Coast home.
The 32-year-old man was charged overnight following a joint investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Australian Federal Police and ATO.
Investigators executed a search warrant at a Surfers Paradise property on Thursday, seizing multiple electronic devices including mobile phones that will now undergo forensic examination.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Authorities allege the APS4-level ATO employee disclosed information he obtained through his role as a Commonwealth public official to associates of organised crime.
He has been charged with two counts of unlawful disclosure of information by a Commonwealth officer, which each carry a maximum penalty of two years behind bars.
Police allege child abuse material was also identified on devices during the search.
The man was subsequently charged with two counts of possessing child abuse material and 15 counts of using a carriage service for child abuse material.
Both offences carry maximum penalties of 15 years’ imprisonment.
The man has been suspended from his role at the ATO without pay and is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on September 21.
Acting National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Kylie Kilgour said the alleged conduct involved an abuse of office and misuse of information by a public official.
“In this investigation, the corrupt conduct we are alleging has occurred is an abuse of office and misuse of information by a public official,” she said.
“These are two of the four types of corrupt conduct under the NACC Act.
“It is also a criminal offence.”
Ms Kilgour said the alleged child abuse material offences were not considered corrupt conduct under the NACC Act but were uncovered as a result of the corruption investigation.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Hilda Sirec said authorities had long been aware of attempts by organised crime figures to corrupt people who had access to sensitive information.
“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,” she said.
“Importantly, we 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.”
ATO Deputy Commissioner Nicholas Shizas said the agency had “zero tolerance” for corruption and described the alleged conduct as “despicable”.
“The conduct alleged. . . has no place in the ATO,” he said.
“It is a disservice to the over 20,000 dedicated and honest ATO employees, who carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity.”
“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 charges stem from Operation Esk-Jerboa, a joint NACC, AFP and ATO investigation which remains ongoing.
The NACC has secured 12 convictions since it started operating, with another five cases currently before the courts.
