Former Renewal SA boss John Hanlon and executive Georgina Vasilevski facing charges in ICAC fraud case
The identities of a former public service boss and his senior manager facing charges for allegedly fleecing taxpayers out of thousands of dollars in “personal travel” have been revealed.
Police & Courts
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The former boss of the State Government’s land agency allegedly fleeced taxpayers out of thousands of dollars in “personal travel”, while his senior manager also illegally claimed a trip, the anti-corruption watchdog claims.
Former Renewal SA chief executive John Francis Hanlon, 62, of Goodwood, can be unmasked after his first court appearance.
His co-accused, fellow former agency executive Georgina Vasilevski, 44, of Henley Beach, was also charged last week after an almost 18-month secret Independent Commissioner Against Corruption inquiry.
While neither has pleaded to a string of abuse of public office and fraud-related charges, both said on Wednesday they would fight the case.
ICAC boss Bruce Lander QC alleges they “claimed travel expenses, including airfares, accommodation and meals, for travel that was for private purposes”.
In a case that has triggered political upheaval and come under fire for its draconian secrecy, Mr Lander accuses them of covering up their alleged crimes. No further background can be revealed.
The Advertiser was banned from naming the duo for legal reasons before Wednesday’s Adelaide Magistrates Court appearance, despite their names being published on a public website.
A magistrate told the court she was minded not to allow the media to publish their names until their lawyers revealed they would not seek any secrecy orders.
Mr Hanlon, who did not have his contract extended last year after mysteriously taking leave, described claims he wrongly claimed $24,000 as “nonsense”.
Outside court he said he had worked on several “major projects for the state worth billions of dollars” over the past 10 years.
“Those projects have required me to travel extensively interstate and overseas,” he said. “I’ve worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the state.
“I (had) oversight of a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars.
“To suggest that I have fraudulently spent $24,000 in personal travel ... is nonsense. I intend to follow this matter vigorously through the courts.”
On Wednesday, the court heard extensive evidence including phone taps totalled “15 volumes”. Further handwriting evidence is being sought.
Vasilevski, who was excused from the hearing for medical reasons, wrongly billed taxpayers more than $1000 for a two-day development conference, the court heard.
Dick Whitington QC, defending, said his client’s work had told her to attend the interstate event.
“She categorically denies any misconduct of improper benefit in the amount of $1032.60,” he said.
David Edwardson QC, defending Hanlon, had his client’s bail varied so he could fly to Victoria for business and personal travel. The pair are banned from contacting any Renewal SA workers.
Mr Hanlon was charged last week with two counts of abuse of public office, three of deception, one of acting dishonestly and five of dishonestly dealing with documents.
Vasilevski, a former general manager, was charged on January 30 with one count of abuse of public office and three of acting dishonestly.
Magistrate Jayne Basheer adjourned the case until June.