Former Frankston City Council manager Andrew Williamson was today sentenced in the County Court to imprisonment following IBAC’s investigation, Operation Topi, into allegations of improper procurement practices at Frankston City Council.
Mr Williams was sentenced on three charges:
Charge 1: Ten months imprisonment plus 30 month Community Correction Order, to complete 300 hours community work for obtaining property by deception to the amount of $460,872.32
Charge 2: Four months imprisonment plus 12 month Community Correction Order for attempting to obtain property by deception to the amount of $65,530.60; and
Charge 3: Five months imprisonment plus 15 months Community Correction Order for misconduct in public office.
His Honour Judge Georgiou directed that two months imprisonment from Charge 3 be served cumulatively to Charge 1, resulting in a total sentence of 12 months imprisonment. The Community Correction Orders are to be served concurrently.
Operation Topi was initiated by IBAC following a mandatory notification from Frankston City Council. Under mandatory notification requirements that came into effect in 2016, all heads of Victorian public sector departments and agencies, including council CEOs, must notify IBAC of any matter they suspect, on reasonable grounds, involves corrupt conduct.
