Public Trustee exodus of staff after Peter Carne suspension

There’s an exodus at the Public Trustee office following the shock suspension of long-serving boss Peter Carne on ‘serious allegations of corrupt conduct’. More bureaucrats are headed for the exit.

Peter, Carne has been suspended

MORE senior bureaucrats are heading for the exits following last month’s shock suspension of long-serving Public Trustee Peter Carne.

His deputy, solicitor Mark Crofton, remains on leave and will be gone by July 19 after 27 years at the office.

Rob Moran, executive director of client services, has resigned, while human resources and marketing chief Erica Gallagher plans to leave in the middle of the month to take up another role.

A spin doctor for the Public Trustee’s office said yesterday the departures were unrelated to Carne’s suspension and the agency was “unaware of anyone else being investigated’’ as a result.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said previously that Carne faces “serious allegations that could amount to misbehaviour’’ but she would not divulge details.

The Crime and Corruption Commission has confirmed that it is “investigating allegations of corrupt conduct relating to the Public Trustee of Queensland’’ but it would not elaborate beyond that statement.

Carne, a well-established Labor identity who has held the job for all but two years since 2009, could not be reached for comment yesterday.