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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Seven arrested as police probe alleged fraud involving regional council

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Seven men have been arrested in Victoria, Australia, as part of an investigation into alleged fraud at the Greater Shepparton City Council and a local business.
  • The arrests followed an internal referral by the council after concerns were identified through its governance and financial processes.
  • The men, aged between 36 and 55, were interviewed and released pending further inquiries, with the investigation ongoing.

Seven men have been arrested in Victoria, Australia, in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving the Greater Shepparton City Council and a local business. The investigation, led by the Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit, saw detectives execute warrants across Shepparton on June 17, leading to the arrests.

A small number of council employees have been involved in a police inquiry in relation to a matter that council itself referred to Victoria Police.

— Fiona Le GassickGreater Shepparton's chief executive officer confirming council staff involvement in the police inquiry.

The arrested individuals, ranging in age from 36 to 55, include four men in their 50s, two in their 40s, and one 36-year-old. They were interviewed by police and subsequently released pending further inquiries. The alleged fraudulent conduct is said to have occurred between 2022 and 2026.

Council identified concerns through its internal governance and financial processes and took the decision to refer the matter to police, consistent with our obligations and our commitment to accountability and transparency.

— Fiona Le GassickGreater Shepparton's chief executive officer explaining the council's decision to involve the police.

Greater Shepparton's chief executive officer, Fiona Le Gassick, confirmed that a small number of council employees were involved in the police inquiry. She stated that the council itself referred the allegations to Victoria Police after identifying concerns through its internal governance and financial processes. This action aligns with the council's commitment to accountability and transparency.

As this is now a police matter, Council is not in a position to make any further statements at this time.

— Fiona Le GassickGreater Shepparton's chief executive officer on the limitations of public comment due to the ongoing police investigation.

"As this is now a police matter, Council is not in a position to make any further statements at this time," Ms. Le Gassick said in a statement. She added that the council remains focused on serving the Greater Shepparton community and upholding the high standards of conduct expected by its residents. The investigation is ongoing.

Council remains focused on supporting the Greater Shepparton community and on upholding the high standards of conduct our community rightly expects.

— Fiona Le GassickGreater Shepparton's chief executive officer on the council's ongoing priorities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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