Disgraced public servant Barry Wells jailed over multimillion-dollar scam
THE greedy mastermind of a multimillion-dollar cash-for-contracts scam has been jailed for orchestrating the monster rip-off.
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THE greedy mastermind of a multimillion-dollar cash-for-contracts scam has been jailed for orchestrating the monster rip-off.
Barry Wells lived the high life for years off the back of more than $17 million he awarded himself in sham contracts.
Of that, he personally pocketed about $1.3 million that he used to renovate his house and showering himself and colleagues with gifts.
Supreme Court judge Justice John Dixon said today that figure was conservative, but it was difficult to precisely calculate the profit from Well’s enterprise.
His partner in crime, Albert Ooi, managed to swindle about $1 million more despite an agreement between the pair when they masterminded the fraud to split any windfall down the middle.
Wells was jailed for eight years and nine months today, and must serve at least six years and three months of that term.
Despite desperately fighting to have the case against him stayed, he received a hefty sentencing discount for his ultimate plea of guilty.
He also had his time behind bars reduced after agreeing to turn prosecution witness and inform on several co-accused.
Wells pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud and three counts of receiving a secret commission.
While sitting on tender panels for a range of infrastructure projects the disgraced former public servant awarded himself, or companies he was connected to, a string of lucrative contracts.
Between 2007 and 2013 he and Ooi pocketed millions and subsequently showered themselves with gifts, including a $15,000 grand piano and a jet ski named “Bazdawgs”.
At least 251 contracts valued at more than $17 million were awarded while the scam was operating.
More than $50,000 of gold bullion, property and a bank account has since been seized from Wells.
Justice Dixon said Wells’s crimes were very serious and struck at the heart of civilised democracy.
“You abused the trust placed in public servants by the community,” he said.
“Those contemplating fraud on this scale must understand a long term of imprisonment awaits them.”
Wells has been ordered to repay $1.3 million.