Former Australian Border Force officer sentenced for forgery and theft

Publisher
canberratimes.com.au
Date published
December 2021

Relevant impacts:  Government outcomes impact and financial impact

A former Australian Border Force (ABF) officer pleaded guilty to criminal offences including 2 counts of forgery and 3 counts of theft totalling $93,898.75.

A joint investigation by the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity and the Department of Home Affairs found the ABF officer made 134 unauthorised cash withdrawals, several unauthorised hotel bookings, and an unauthorised car rental booking on their Commonwealth credit card.  Two false statutory declarations were submitted to substantiate charges on the Commonwealth credit card.

Additionally, the investigation found that 13 false medical certificates had been uploaded to obtain paid leave the ABF officer was not entitled to.

The former ABF officer was sentenced to 2.5 years imprisonment, to be released after 5 months served conditional on entering a recognisance of $1,000 and being of good behaviour for a period of 3 years. The ABF officer was also ordered to repay $93,898.75.

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