SA public servant Lindsay Raymond Bassani pleads guilty to abuse of public office, dishonesty charges

A SENIOR public servant has confessed to siphoning funds from an indigenous sports program, as part of a plea bargain deal with prosecutors.

Lindsay Ramond Bassani outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: Greg Higgs.

A SENIOR public servant has confessed to siphoning funds from an indigenous sports program, as part of a plea bargain deal with prosecutors.

Having previously told a court he would challenge evidence allegedly linking him to $12,000 in fraud, Lindsay Raymond Bassani on Monday pleaded guilty to multiple charges.

Bassani, 37, pleaded guilty to three counts of being a public officer who abused his position to secure a benefit, and two counts of dishonestly dealing with documents.

In exchange, prosecutors withdrew two counts of abuse of public office and one dishonesty charge.

Previously, the Adelaide Magistrates Court was told Bassani allegedly stole money from the SA Aboriginal Sports Training Academy between December 6, 2012 and May 16, 2014.

Prosecutors alleged Bassani, who has been suspended on full pay, took the money in various amounts of up to $5000 at a time.

It was further alleged he used his position to secure $1736 over 11 days in February 2014 for Echunga Football Club while serving as its A-Grade coach.

When Bassani failed to attend his first court appearance in July, ICAC Commissioner Bruce Lander, QC, gave The Advertiser permission to name him.

Bassani subsequently signalled his intention to challenge the charges, saying he wanted the state’s top law-enforcement agencies to be forced to open their files to his counsel.

On Monday, barrister Marie Shaw, QC, for Bassani, said the matter had been resolved following discussions with prosecutors.

Bassani then pleaded guilty to having abused his office between September 19, 2013 and March 3, 2014.

He further confessed to abusing his office between March 10, 2013 and 11 June, 2013, and again between February 3 and 14, 2014.

Bassani pleaded guilty to falsifying documents between 21 May and 11 June, 2013, and again between February 2 and February 14, 2014.

Ms Shaw asked the case be adjourned so that a psychological report could be obtained.

Magistrate Bob Harrap remanded Bassani on continuing bail to face court again in August.

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