The Crime and Misconduct Commission has warned that it will take a tough stance against witnesses who lie during CMC hearings.
The warning follows today’s jailing for six months of a Gold Coast City Council contractor, who was convicted by a Brisbane District Court jury of committing perjury during a CMC investigation of corruption involving council officers and contractors.
In 2004 Dumitru Balan lied to a CMC misconduct hearing about whether he had employed council workers in his landscaping and equipment hire business on the Gold Coast.
In giving his evidence to the CMC, Mr Balan denied employing council workers.
However, a subsequent raid on Balan’s home discovered cheque butts and cash book entries confirming payments to two council officers.
During his District Court trial the jury was told that Balan changed his testimony a week later, admitting he had employed the council workers.
The jury was also told Gold Coast City Council records revealed that between them, the two council workers had authorised over $600 000 in council contracts in Balan’s favour over a four-year period.
Director of CMC Misconduct Investigations Russell Pearce says Balan’s jailing sends a strong message to the community that deliberately providing false testimony before a CMC hearing won’t be tolerated.
‘This verdict and sentence should reinforce the community’s confidence in the CMC’s investigative processes. Swearing an oath to tell the truth before a CMC hearing should be taken very seriously,’ Mr Pearce said.
‘Simply by not telling the truth Mr Balan exposed himself to very serious consequences and is now paying the price.’
ENDS
