Company director charged over alleged kickbacks in Pilbara corruption scandal

A company director has faced court in Perth over alleged corruption charges related to bribery of a council official in Western Australia's remote Pilbara region. Richard Carroll, a director of Victorian companies VicFlow and VicFlow Civil, was charged with eight counts of a public officer acting corruptly in the performance or discharge of their functions. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the WA Police Financial Crimes Squad and the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC).

According to a CCC report, the Shire of East Pilbara awarded more than $11 million in contracts to VicFlow and VicFlow Civil, with the two companies receiving more than $5 million in contracts. Police alleged that Mr Carroll paid more than $50,000 in gratuities to Bevan Klein, the former Shire of East Pilbara manager, in exchange for favourable treatment. Mr Klein had previously worked with Mr Carroll at the Towong Shire Council, where Mr Carroll performed contract work.

A CCC report published earlier this month found that Mr Klein engaged in serious misconduct, favouring VicFlow and Dick Tracey when awarding contracts. Dick Tracey has denied conferring any benefit. Mr Carroll is due to appear before Perth Magistrates Court again on February 10.

The Shire of East Pilbara encompasses a large part of inland Western Australia, and the alleged corruption scandal has raised concerns about the integrity of local government in the region.