Victorian prison boss helped son get $1.5 million of work: IBAC

VICTORIA’S anti-corruption watchdog says a prison manager helped his son win contracts worth $1.56 million.

A manager at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre prison has been found to have helped his son win contracts at the jail. Picture: Mark Dadswell

A FORMER Victorian women’s prison manager helped his son win $1.56 million in jobs, and took a fishing boat as a gift from another contractor, however he will not face criminal charges.

The state’s corruption watchdog revealed today the former Dame Phyllis Frost facilities department manager Jeff Finlow, failed to declare a conflict of interest and allowed a company by his son, Adam Finlow and his wife to win contracts worth hundred of thousand of dollars from the department.

However, despite proving the dealings the IBAC special report said “there was insufficient evidence” to charge Mr Finlow and instead recommended a review of Corrections Victoria policies.

The report tabled in Parliament today followed months of investigations under Operation Nepean.

It proved Mr Finlow shared information from other tenders including competitors’ quotes helping his son’s businesses to submit cheaper quotes and win jobs.

IBAC Commissioner Stephen O’Bryan found a prison manager helped his son win $1.56 million in jobs. Picture: Supplied.

Commissioner Mr Stephen O’Bryan QC also found Mr Finlow had accepted a fishing boat from another contractor — who won a 2010 job — which he sold for $3300 after IBAC launched investigations.

An allegation that Mr Finlow facilitated the recruitment of another son, John Finlow, as a senior prison officer, was also probed.

IBAC identified that the prison did not adequately supervise Mr Finlow and failed to address staff complaints about his conduct, which had allowed the procurement issues to carry on for five years.

“Mr Finlow, in his position as manager of the facilities department at DPFC, breached the code of conduct and DJR policies and procedures applicable to DPFC,’’ the report said.

“He circumvented the procurement process for the purpose of awarding contracts to his son, Adam Finlow, and did so with the intention of providing him with an income which would allow him to establish his business.

“After due consideration, IBAC decided there was insufficient evidence to substantiate allegations which might amount to criminal behaviour on the part of Mr Finlow.’’

The prison manager was stood down from his position while an internal investigation was conducted and officially resigned in June 2015.

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