BACKGROUND:
The so-called public exoneration from
accusations in the Fitz Gerald Report has come from the Commissioner for York, James
Best. The Department of Local Government has refused to investigate any
allegations of impropriety prior to the resignation of CEO Ray Hooper in April
2014.The WA Corruption and Crime Commission is too busy investigating
impropriety in its own ranks. So what has allegedly happened? The Shire of York
investigated itself and decided it had no case to answer! Funny that, but it’s
never over until the ‘fat lady sings’.
A ‘Q & A’ FOR RAY.
(Ray Hooper steps onto the stage to loud, local community applause.)
Mr. Ray Hooper, you have continued to protest your innocence of any wrongdoing as the Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of York and recently claimed, publically, that you had been exonerated by the authority with appropriate investigatory capacity and therefor appropriate jurisdiction, being the Shire of York.
You should therefore have no hesitation in answering questions that have intrigued the York community for years, on the understanding that your answers have been accepted as fact by the arbiter of exoneration, the Shire of York.
Q. Mr. Michael Fitzgerald of Fitz Gerald Strategies arrived at the Shire of York Offices to commence his investigation on April 15, 2014. You tendered your resignation on the same day. As you have always claimed your innocence why did you resign on that day or any other day?
A.
Q. Subsequently you stated publically that your Corporate Credit Card statements had been subject to audit. The auditors denied this had occurred and it was clearly stated that your credit card had never been reviewed or authorized by anyone prior to any payment being made.
Do you claim these auditors are liars?
A.
Q. It is alleged that two councillors on the Shire of York Audit Committee, responsible for ensuring the proper and appropriate use of Shire of York municipal funds, received goods and services that they should not be entitled to, paid for by your Corporate Credit Card.
Do you deny this?
A.
Q. It is alleged that what could be constituted as endemic and systemic impropriety within the Shire of York commenced sometime after 2004 and legitimate public concerns were raised regarding this in 2008.
Do you recall what these concerns were?
A.
Q. It is alleged that, ignoring community expectations, you employed staff without the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and adequate experience to undertake important financial and senior management roles. This compromised safe and secure financial practices resulting in the theft of municipal funds from the York Tourist Bureau Inc.
What do you have to say to this?
A.
Q. Similarly, there is the matter of $220,000 in municipal funds that, apparently, disappeared in 2010.The public is still unaware of the current whereabouts of this substantial sum.
Would you be able to enlighten them?
A.
Q. You may have four (4) still unexplained claims and expenses totaling $2,058. The terminology for this expenditure without due and proper explanation is “stealing as a servant’ and there maybe four (4) individual, potential indictments. Each indictment has a penalty of up to ten (10) years imprisonment under the Criminal Code WA
What is your response?
A.
Q. There is prima facie evidence suggesting that you took considerable personal advantage regarding your rental payment for the premises you occupied for nine (9) years, paying three times below the property’s current rental value. This has never been declared as a Fringe Benefit Tax component by the Shire of York and may result in future penalties and taxes issued to the Shire by the Australian Tax Office.
What is your response?
A.
Q. There is a question regarding the deliberate falsification of public records by a public official in 2012. This has a penalty of up to seven (7) years jail under the Criminal Code WA.
Do you know who it was? Do you feel lucky?
We will now take questions from the audience. If he does not answer, answer them for him and fill in any blanks.
David Taylor.
A ‘Q & A’ FOR RAY.
(Ray Hooper steps onto the stage to loud, local community applause.)
Mr. Ray Hooper, you have continued to protest your innocence of any wrongdoing as the Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of York and recently claimed, publically, that you had been exonerated by the authority with appropriate investigatory capacity and therefor appropriate jurisdiction, being the Shire of York.
You should therefore have no hesitation in answering questions that have intrigued the York community for years, on the understanding that your answers have been accepted as fact by the arbiter of exoneration, the Shire of York.
Q. Mr. Michael Fitzgerald of Fitz Gerald Strategies arrived at the Shire of York Offices to commence his investigation on April 15, 2014. You tendered your resignation on the same day. As you have always claimed your innocence why did you resign on that day or any other day?
A.
Q. Subsequently you stated publically that your Corporate Credit Card statements had been subject to audit. The auditors denied this had occurred and it was clearly stated that your credit card had never been reviewed or authorized by anyone prior to any payment being made.
Do you claim these auditors are liars?
A.
Q. It is alleged that two councillors on the Shire of York Audit Committee, responsible for ensuring the proper and appropriate use of Shire of York municipal funds, received goods and services that they should not be entitled to, paid for by your Corporate Credit Card.
Do you deny this?
A.
Q. It is alleged that what could be constituted as endemic and systemic impropriety within the Shire of York commenced sometime after 2004 and legitimate public concerns were raised regarding this in 2008.
Do you recall what these concerns were?
A.
Q. It is alleged that, ignoring community expectations, you employed staff without the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and adequate experience to undertake important financial and senior management roles. This compromised safe and secure financial practices resulting in the theft of municipal funds from the York Tourist Bureau Inc.
What do you have to say to this?
A.
Q. Similarly, there is the matter of $220,000 in municipal funds that, apparently, disappeared in 2010.The public is still unaware of the current whereabouts of this substantial sum.
Would you be able to enlighten them?
A.
Q. You may have four (4) still unexplained claims and expenses totaling $2,058. The terminology for this expenditure without due and proper explanation is “stealing as a servant’ and there maybe four (4) individual, potential indictments. Each indictment has a penalty of up to ten (10) years imprisonment under the Criminal Code WA
What is your response?
A.
Q. There is prima facie evidence suggesting that you took considerable personal advantage regarding your rental payment for the premises you occupied for nine (9) years, paying three times below the property’s current rental value. This has never been declared as a Fringe Benefit Tax component by the Shire of York and may result in future penalties and taxes issued to the Shire by the Australian Tax Office.
What is your response?
A.
Q. There is a question regarding the deliberate falsification of public records by a public official in 2012. This has a penalty of up to seven (7) years jail under the Criminal Code WA.
Do you know who it was? Do you feel lucky?
We will now take questions from the audience. If he does not answer, answer them for him and fill in any blanks.
David Taylor.
1. Great way to present the info.
ReplyDelete2. Cat must have got his tongue.
It's essential that every investigator develop and follow a “theory of the case” when investigating complex corruption and fraud offenses. The 'Case Theory' approach to complex investigations is second nature to most investigators, at least the successful ones, but is misunderstood and/or neglected by others, with disastrous results.I don't know what qualifications or investigative skills the ACEO has, I'm willing to bet none. I suspect Mr G Simpson has done himself no favours in appeasing the Commissioner.
ReplyDelete