Former Hills Shire councillor Raymond Harty convicted of fraud,
BREAKING: Disgraced former Hills Shire councillor Raymond Harty has been sentenced today to a 12-month suspended sentence after being convicted of fraud charges relating to more than $220,000 worth of payments.
Hills Shire
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DISGRACED former Hills Shire Councillor Raymond Harty has been sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence after being convicted of fraud charges.
Mr Harty,72, now of Parramatta, appeared at Burwood Local Court for sentencing today, following a guilty plea to charges that were laid in February, relating to the defrauding of Comet training.
Fraudulent payments of more than $220,000 were made to a personal bank account while Mr Harty was general manager of the Lidcombe-based company, which was partially owned by the Master Builders Association and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.
In court, Magistrate Robyn Denes said Mr Harty defrauded a company while in a position of power.
“Mr Harty, you have pleaded guilty to an extremely serious offence that took place over six years through a breach of trust,” Magistrate Denes said.
“Up until recently, you were of good character, which is why you found yourself in the position of general manager of the company.
Magistrate Denes said she was aware of Mr Harty’s expression of remorse, and read a psychological report indicating the trauma that was caused.
“Mr Harty is convicted and sentenced to a term of 12 months in prison, however this will be a suspended sentence on good behaviour,” she said.
Last month, pre-empting his guilty plea in court, Mr Harty resigned from local government in a letter to the Hills Shire Council general manager, staff, councillors and residents.
“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.
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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.
“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.”