NT ICAC commissioner Michael Riches cleared of DVO coverup despite estranged wife not interviewed in investigation

Michael Riches has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the NT ICAC inspector, despite his estranged wife Jennifer, not being formally interviewed as part of an investigation.

Jennifer Riches, the estranged wife of NT ICAC Commissioner Michael Riches; the two as a couple, inset. Picture: Liam Mendes

The Northern Territory ICAC commissioner, who offered his wife $20,000 on the condition she withdraw her domestic violence order application against him, has been cleared of any wrongdoing despite his estranged wife who made the allegations not being formally interviewed as part of the investigation.

Territory ICAC Inspector Bruce McClintock found the allegation commissioner Michael Riches had improperly offered $20,000 to his now-estranged wife Jennifer Riches to suppress any allegations of domestic violence made by her “not to be true”.

The Australian also revealed allegations that lawyers for Mr Riches told his estranged wife that if she did not accept an offer to settle her complaint outside of chambers quickly, the NT ICAC boss could lose his job.

It comes despite Mr McClintock not formally interviewing Ms Riches during his investigation and only sending her a text message, as well as failing to respond to her written offer to provide more information to further detail her allegations.

The Australian also revealed Mr Riches told his wife through legal correspondence that he had booked a meeting with the chief minister to disclose he had been served a domestic violence order, but the government has no record of a meeting being made. While this was also referred for investigation, there is no mention of the findings.

Bruce McClintock SC in Sydney in 2021. Picture: Damian Shaw / NCA NewsWire

Last week Mr McClintock travelled to Darwin to spearhead the investigation into the accusations, which had resulted in Mr Riches taking unplanned leave.

It is understood he interviewed Mr Riches and ICAC staff, but will not be releasing his report due to it containing “highly confidential” medical information relating to the former couple. Ms Riches has not been able to respond - or verify - the medical information that is said to have been obtained.

In an interview with The Australian Ms Riches detailed the circumstances leading to the breakdown of their marriage, alleging that Mr Riches’s temper and controlling behaviour caused her to leave the family home and stay in motels on a few occasions during their relationship, and that she stayed in a women’s shelter in May last year. She has not made any allegations of physical violence.

In May last year Mr Riches agreed to a two-year domestic violence undertaking in which he is prevented from approaching, contacting or stalking his now-estranged wife, without admission to liability.

NT chief minister Eva Lawler said on Monday morning inspector Bruce McClintock “was not able to make a conclusive determination in relation to truth of allegations pertaining to the ICAC’s former wife’s allegations”.

“Mr Riches and Ms Jennifer Riches, the ICAC’s former partner, were contacted by, and made submissions to the Inspector, in making these conclusions,” Ms Lawler said.

“The Inspector has concluded that none of the allegations made against the commissioner could constitute corrupt conduct.

“The Inspector has also advised me that these matters are having damaging and acute impact on Commissioner Riches health, and as a result he is not fit to carry out his duties at this time” Ms Lawler said.

On Thursday last week Ms Riches received a text message from the ICAC Inspector offering her to provide more information.

NT Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) Michael Riches. Picture: Office of the ICAC/Supplied

Just after three hours after receiving the text message, Ms Riches replied via email stating the reporting was “generally” accurate, and that the “media stories only capture a part of what went on”.

She also provided correspondence by various case workers, including one from the Salvation Army who stated she had experienced “coercive controlling” conduct.

Ms Riches said she could provide “a lot of information”.

“I hope this helps as a starting point. Please let me know if you require more information,” she wrote.

She never received a response.

Michael Riches is overseeing some of the biggest corruption investigations in the country, including into former police officer Zach Rolfe’s allegations of widespread racism in Darwin’s elite police unit. He is responsible for investigating “cases of corrupt conduct and anti-democratic conduct” among public officers and bodies.

Mr Riches, who is on an annual salary of almost $500,000, offered Ms Riches $12,000 plus $1000 for eight fortnights on the basis she withdrew her DVO application filed with a Darwin Court in May last year, and “contingent upon Mr Riches remaining in his employment at ICAC.”

In legal correspondence obtained by The Australian, lawyers for Mr Riches told his estranged wife that if she did not accept an offer to settle her complaint outside of chambers quickly, the NT ICAC boss could lose his job.

After Mr Riches was served with the DVO application, his lawyers wrote to Ms Riches’s lawyers saying while the allegations of the DVO were unfounded, he would agree to enter into a written undertaking.

The order was made in chambers and did not reach the public court system and therefore was not tested or ruled on.

According to legal correspondence between the couple obtained by The Australian, three days prior to the day Ms Riches filed her DVO application, she sought $30,000 as “urgent lump sum spousal maintenance”.

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