Adelaide magistrate Bob Harrap charged with deception and conspiracy to abuse public office following ICAC investigation
An Adelaide magistrate has been charged with serious criminal offences after allegedly lying about who had been driving his government-issued car.
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Adelaide magistrate Bob Harrap has been arrested for allegedly lying about who was driving his government-issued car when it was observed committing traffic offences last month.
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander QC said the magistrate has been charged with two counts of deception and one count of conspiracy to commit the offence of abuse of public office.
He was also charged with one count of conspiracy to attempt to obstruct or pervert the course of justice.
Harrap faces between four and 10 years in prison if convicted of the offences.
Mr Lander alleges Harrap lied on two occasions between May 19 and May 22 about who was driving his government vehicle when it was observed committing traffic offences.
It is also alleged that between May 10 and May 29, Harrap “conspired with another person to pervert the course of justice” and conspired to abuse his position in relation to a case that was heard by him.
ICAC investigators executed five search warrants on Monday morning as they arrested Harrap.
South Australia’s Chief Magistrate, Judge Mary-Louise Hribal, said Harrap has been stood down until the matters have been finalised.
“I have directed that Magistrate Harrap take leave until the charges against him have been determined according to law,” she said.
“It is not appropriate for any magistrate to hear the charges against Magistrate
Harrap and therefore I have asked the Chief Judge of the District Court to arrange for a judge to hear them.”
Mr Lander took the step of naming Harrap in his statement, due to the “special circumstances” of the matter.
“This is a departure from my usual practice of not naming individuals who have been charged until they have appeared in court for the first time,” he said.
“I thought not naming the judicial officer would harm the confidence the community necessarily places in the judicial system.”
The investigation is ongoing. Other people may also be charged, but Harrap is the only judicial officer involved in this investigation.
Harrap was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday next week.
In January, it was revealed a total of 72 fines worth $46,293 were issued by SA Police for cars leased to judges and magistrates between July 1, 2016 and October 31 last year.
In 2009, Federal Court judge Marcus Einfeld was sentenced to a maximum of three years in jail for lying to escape a $77 traffic fine.
He was stripped of his commission as Queen’s Counsel and was removed from the Order of Australia.
Enfield served two years and was released in March 2011.