CLIMATE FRAUD GOES TO PRISON

The Herald Sun reports: "A renowned climate scientist has been jailed for fraudulently claiming half a million dollars in reimbursements from his employer."

Daniel Alongi at leisure

The Herald Sun reports: "A renowned climate scientist has been jailed for fraudulently claiming half a million dollars in reimbursements from his employer."

The fellow’s fakery goes back to 2008:

Over seven years, Australian Institute of Marine Science senior researcher Daniel Michael Alongi lodged 129 claims for fictitious purchases totalling $553,420.

When police caught up with him in 2015, he told them he had spent the money on rare and antique books.

One book, about Captain James Cook’s journeys, cost $15,000.

Alongi, 60, pleaded guilty in Townsville District Court yesterday to defrauding the Federal Government agency.

Commonwealth prosecutor Chris Moore detailed Alongi’s “carefully executed” offending, which saw him earn far more than his $4000 a fortnight salary.

“To support the claims he created or modified invoices, receipts and credit card statements, along with drafting fake analysis reports and email trails,” he said.

“On at least 25 occasions, he forged the signature of his supervisor.”

The signature is settled.

Defence barrister Justin Greggery said Alongi had since used superannuation and entitlements to repay the money.

“Mr Alongi will be punished in another way, and that is the loss of his professional reputation,” he said. “Beyond the period of time that he serves in custody, he will forever be known for this conduct here.”

Judge Kieran Dorney QC said Alongi had bought rare books and his bank statements showed he made a number of online purchases from Amazon and iTunes.

“What he bought was things that he did not need. It wasn’t an addiction such as gambling, or spending on his own lifestyle, it seemed to be bizarre things — I think you could say ridiculous things,” he said.

He’s a climate scientist. “Ridiculous things” are his speciality.

(Via Ronald.)