Education Department executive Nino Napoli faces corruption charges after ‘millions siphoned from Victorian schools’
FORMER Education Department big wig Nino Napoli is among five people charged with criminal offences after an anti-corruption investigation into the alleged siphoning of millions of dollars from Victorian schools.
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FORMER Education Department big wig Nino Napoli is among five people charged with criminal offences after an anti-corruption investigation into the alleged siphoning of millions of dollars from Victorian schools.
He will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 24 with cousin Carlo Squillacioti and friend Michael Giulieri after the probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds though ‘banker schools’.
Another of Mr Napoli’s cousins, Daniel Calleja, will face court on March 14.
The charges include furnishing false information, dealing with the proceeds of crime, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to deal with the proceeds of crime.
The Independent Broad-Based Anti-corruption Commission last year found that “serious and systemic corruption” saw public officials divert money from some of the state’s most disadvantaged children for “their own personal gain”.
IBAC’s Operation Ord found that by exploiting “lax” accounting practices in the so-called banker school system, Mr Napoli was able to secure payments for false and inflated invoices, or inappropriate expenses such as excessive hospitality, travel and personal items.
Between 2007 and 2014, it is alleged at least $1.9 million in profits were spirited to relatives and associates of Mr Napoli.
Up to $1.1 million in suspicious transactions and $3.3 million in tainted or suspicious contracts may also be linked to Mr Napoli.
Education Department spokesman Steve Tolley said the banker school model had been abolished
and improved financial training provided to more than 2000 principals, business managers and other school staff, as well more than 5,300 school council members.
“None of the senior executives involved in the corruption work in the Department any more, and we have taken employment action against the other employees involved where necessary,” he said in a statement.
“The Department has actively pursued a comprehensive reform agenda in the wake of these investigations, putting integrity at the heart of everything we do.
“This includes changes to procurement and auditing practices and financial training for schools as well as reviewing policies around travel, gifts and hospitality and the launch of a new, confidential ‘Speak Up’ service.
“As these matters are now before the courts it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Education Minister James Merlino said the conduct exposed during the IBAC hearings was “nothing short of disgraceful”.
“Victorian families have every right to be outraged at this behaviour,” he said in a statement.
“The public expects and deserves better from its public servants.
“I, and all Victorians, expect the highest standards from our public servants and where there is wrongdoing it is appropriate that it be punished.”
He said the department had undergone extensive reforms to prevent the “unacceptable behaviour uncovered by IBAC happening again”.
