BRADAAG organisation’s reputation ‘considerably damaged’ after fraud: CEO
THE fraudulent loss of $250,000 from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation service in Tennant Creek saw the organisation’s clients treated in an appalling way, according to the CEO
Centralian Advocate
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THE fraudulent loss of $250,000 from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation service in Tennant Creek – money which was intended for the delivery of treatment services – saw the organisation’s clients treated in an appalling way, according to the CEO.
Current Barkly Region Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group (BRADAAG) CEO Pauline Reynolds said the organisation’s reputation had seen considerable damage since its former boss defrauded the organisation of more than $245,000.
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BRADAAG is a non-profit, community-based organisation providing alcohol and other drug services in Tennant Creek and surrounding areas.
In November 2020, the former CEO of BRADAAG, Stewart Naylor, surrendered himself to Alice Springs Police to plead guilty to fraud, where he embezzled money over a period of eight years prior to leaving the organisation in 2016.
Ms Reynolds said she was pleased with Naylor’s sentence of five years and three months jail, handed down by Chief Justice Judith Kelly on Wednesday.
“It cost us reputational damage. It cost us buildings that were well maintained,” she said.
“The people of Tennant Creek that were attending alcohol rehab to help them sort out their problems; they were living in conditions and being treated in a way that was absolutely appalling.
“I think (the sentence) is a good result for the Aboriginal people of Tennant Creek.”
In a statement, the peak body for NT non-government Alcohol and Other Drug treatment services, The Association of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies NT (AADANT) said they condemned the behaviour, “noting both the illegal redirection of resources intended for the delivery of treatment services and the resultant impact on the reputation of BRADAAG”.
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“BRADAAG, under the direction of current CEO Pauline Reynolds, continues to work tirelessly within the Barkly Region to ensure delivery of, and access to, high level support services for people who use alcohol and other drugs.
“AADANT welcomes the opportunity for closure of this chapter of BRADAAG’s history.”
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