Former Hills councillor Raymond Harty pleads guilty to fraud charge

FORMER Hills Shire councillor Raymond Harty has plead guilty to fraud charges today, following his resignation from local government earlier this week.

Former Hills councillor Raymond Harty plead guilty to fraud charges. Picture: AAP Image/Justin Sanson

FORMER Hills Shire councillor Raymond Harty has pleaded guilty to fraud charges today, following his resignation from local government earlier this week.

In February, Mr Harty was charged with defrauding Comet Training, relating to fraudulent payments of more than $220,000 made to a personal bank account while he was general manager.

READ: HARTY RESIGNS FROM HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL

READ: LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER WEIGHS IN

The Lidcombe-based training company was partly owned by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the Master Builders Association (MBA).

Mr Harty pleaded guilty to the charge in Burwood Local Court today.

His guilty plea comes as the Office of Local Government revealed that the Hills Shire Council will be required to hold a by-election to fill Mr Harty’s vacancy within the next three months.

“Councils are required to notify the NSW Electoral commission, the Office of Local Government and Local Government NSW of any vacancies in the civic office of a councillor,” an Office of Local Government Spokesman said.

Harty was accused over fraudulent payments of more than $220,000.

The Times has obtained Mr Harty’s letter of resignation to the Hills Shire Council general manager, Michael Edgar.

“It is with deep regret and remorse that I tender my resignation as a West Ward councillor effective from the 1st of May, 2018,” Mr Harty said.

“I wish to state the matters involving me currently before the court in no way reflects or are connected in any way to the Hills Shire Council or to me in my role and performance as a councillor with the Hills Shire Council.

“It has been and honour and a privilege to have served the residents of the Hills community over the past fourteen years. I am deeply sorry that I have let so many people down, the hurt and pain I have caused my family, the officers and staff of Council, my councillor colleagues, the residents of the Hills and in particular the residents of West Ward whom for the past fourteen years have placed their trust and faith in me I am profoundly sorry.”

Mr Harty reached out to councillors and staff to wish them success in future endeavours.

“For me now it is time to say goodbye, time to fade away so all that may be left of me is just a memory,” Mr Harty said.

Mr Edgar said it was likely that Mr Harty’s resignation would lead to a by-election.

“In the ordinary course of business we will inform the Office of Local Government,” Mr Edgar told the Hills Shire Times.

“It is now a matter for council to deal with the vacancy, which will be the subject of a future report to council.”

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Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliot said he would be writing to the NSW Governor, asking him to withdraw Mr Harty’s Order of Australia that he received in 2012.

“However, I would expect that Mr Harty do the honourable thing and surrender it after pleading guilty to a criminal offence.”

Mr Harty is due to appear in Burwood Local Court on June 14 for sentencing.