Charges of fraud and using a false document to obtain a financial advantage have been laid against two former directors of the Gudhuga Training and Employment Aboriginal Corporation.
Yesterday one of those charged—Shane Newton Carriage, a 33-year-old Batemans Bay man—appeared before Magistrate David Degnan in the Batemans Bay Local Court. He has been charged under sections 192E(1)(b) and 254(b)(ii) of the Crimes Act 1900 (New South Wales). The charges follow a joint investigation by the New South Wales Police and the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven.
Gudhuga Training and Employment Aboriginal Corporation is based in Moruya and provides training and employment services for Aboriginal people in the Moruya and Batemans Bay region. Until 2009 the corporation managed a Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program. The corporation was called Cobowra CDEP Aboriginal Corporation at the time.
It is alleged that on 10 November 2010 Mr Carriage, along with a 29-year-old Moruya man, sold a motor vehicle that belonged to Gudhuga. The proceeds of the sale ($10 000) were paid into a bank account of Walbunja Aboriginal Corporation (Walbunja) which was controlled by the two men. It is alleged the men later withdrew the sale proceeds from Walbunja’s bank account and used them for their own benefit.
‘Directors of corporations must always act in the best interests of the corporation they represent, and not their own interests,’ said Mr Beven. ‘This joint investigation by my office with the New South Wales Police demonstrates that action will be taken where directors do not meet the standards required of them.’
Magistrate Degnan adjourned the charges against Mr Carriage to 16 April 2012 at Batemans Bay Local Court.
The second man has been charged by New South Wales Police and bailed to appear at Moruya Local Court on 13 April 2012.
The matter is being prosecuted by the New South Wales Police.
27 March 2012
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Patricia Gibson
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Ref: ORIC MR1112-30