Fraud conviction of former Papunya Community Store General Manager
The former General Manager of the remote Papunya Community Store Aboriginal Corporation has recently been convicted of fraud in the Alice Springs Local Court.
The charges followed an investigation by the National Indigenous Australians Agency into the unlawful use of funding provided under the Aboriginals Benefit Account.
The former General Manager pleaded guilty to using his position to dishonestly gain an advantage for himself, contrary to section 265-25(3) of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth).
Additionally, he pleaded guilty to providing false documents with the intention of dishonestly influencing a public official, contrary to section 135.1 (7) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
The Court imposed a fine of $5000 and a sentence of four months imprisonment, which was suspended conditional on being of good behaviour for two years.
The NIAA takes any concerns about the governance and management of funded activities very seriously and investigates any allegations that funding has not been used for its intended purpose.
If you suspect or have evidence of someone committing fraud against a program or activity funded by NIAA, you can report it to the Agency’s Fraud helpdesk on 02 6152 3020, or by email, fraud@niaa.gov.au, or in writing:
Fraud Control Officer
National Indigenous Australians Agency
PO Box 2191
Canberra ACT 2600
