A former Queensland public servant is facing 62 charges of official corruption following a Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) investigation into the fraudulent issuing and upgrading of genuine driver licences.
The 33-year-old woman was the key target of a 12-month corruption investigation known as Operation Danish.
The CCC will allege the woman was employed as a casual customer service officer at the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) when she fraudulently issued or upgraded the classes of 57 licences between November 2012 and December 2013. She allegedly received cash payments of between $150 and $1 500 for each licence or upgrade she provided.
The CCC will further allege that after the woman’s employment at DTMR stopped in December 2013, she tried to corrupt former colleagues by offering them money to fraudulently process a driver licence application.
The CCC today issued the 33-year-old Upper Coomera woman with a Notice to Appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on 11 March 2015 on the following charges:
- 57 counts of official corruption, contrary to section 87(1)(a) of the Queensland Criminal Code
- 5 counts of official corruption, contrary to section 87(1)(b) of the Queensland Criminal Code
Official corruption carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.
The woman allegedly ran the scheme with the assistance of three other people who acted as intermediaries by facilitating licences and upgrades for their friends and associates. The CCC has previously charged two of the alleged intermediaries [see previous media release] and charges are expected against the third.
The CCC has now issued a total of 42 other people with Notices to Appear in court for allegedly paying for and receiving the fraudulently issued licences and upgrades.
Further charges are expected in the coming weeks.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service have provided assistance to the CCC’s investigation.
ENDS
Media conference details:
Where: CCC Headquarters - Level 2, North Tower Green Square, 515 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley.
When: 1pm.
Who: Paxton Booth, Acting Executive Director, Corruption.
What: Details of today's charges and the CCC operation.
