Crime and Misconduct Commission Chairperson Martin Moynihan AO QC says anyone in the business community acting corruptly can expect to serve time in jail following today’s sentencing of Queensland businessman and lawyer Harold Shand.
Mr Shand was today sentenced to 15 months jail to be suspended after four months following yesterday’s conviction in the Brisbane District Court for corruptly making a $60 000 payment to former Minister of the Crown Gordon Nuttall in April 2002.
‘It is clear that the community won’t tolerate the corrupting of a public official following yesterday’s conviction of a Queensland businessman for corruptly making payments to a former minister.
‘The business community should take note that it is not merely politicians who are punished for corrupt conduct. Anyone who engages in corrupt behaviour can expect to be prosecuted,’ Mr Moynihan said.
‘Mr Shand has paid a price for his inappropriate conduct. Not only does he now have a criminal record against his name, but he has also suffered public humiliation. I expect that today’s decision will have a ripple-effect on the broader community and send a strong anti-corruption message.
Mr Moynihan says the court case signals the final prosecution arising out of the CMC’s misconduct investigation into Mr Nuttall.
Mr Nuttall is currently serving two custodial sentences for official corruption relating to payments received from another businessman Brendan McKennariey totalling $152 700 and corruptly receiving secret commissions from Mr Shand and the late Ken Talbot, totalling $360 000.
The CMC has obtained orders under the proceeds of crime legislation to recover a total of $595 980 derived from Mr Nuttall’s illegal activities, plus a further $47 000 in legal costs.
