Today, detectives from the Financial and Cyber Crime Group (State Crime Command) have closed a complex operation charging four people with a series of significant fraud charges relating to their previous involvement in the financial management of a Logan-based college.
Operation Quebec Consignment was commenced following a referral from the Department of Education in August 2018. This significant operation focused on four former senior staff and their involvement in the financial dealings of the college between 2012 and 2018.
“Given the serious nature of a number of the allegations, the matter was investigated by a team of investigators from the Major Fraud Investigation Unit within the Financial and Cyber Crime Group. It was a complex investigation and involved the detailed and lengthy analysis of financial documentation and banking records.
“The nature of the alleged offending is very concerning as it involves persons who were then acting in a position of trust.
“It is important to stress that this investigation focused on four former employees of the college,” Detective Acting Superintendent Vince Byrnes of the Financial and Cyber Crimes Group said.
During the investigation, police executed search warrants on residences within the Logan District throughout July and August 2019. These warrants resulted in the seizure of documentation, computer equipment and mobile phones.
Today police attended a Carbrook address and charged four previous employees of the college. The charges include:
A 35-year-old woman is charged with fraud, dishonestly causing detriment as an employee where the detriment is greater than $100,000, perjury, and computer hacking.
The 35-year-old woman has been conjointly charged with a 34-year-old man on one count of fraud, dishonestly gaining benefit or advantage as an employee where the yield is greater than $100,000 .
A 75-year-old man is charged with fraud, dishonestly causing detriment as an employee where the detriment is greater than $100,000.
The 75-year-old man has been conjointly charged with the 35-year-old woman for one charge of extortion and computer hacking. This relates to a separate complaint made to the police in 2016.
The 75-year-old man has been conjointly charged with the 34-year-old man with one count of fraud, dishonest application of property of another greater than $100,000.
A 66-year-old woman is charged with fraud, dishonestly causing a detriment as an employee where the detriment is greater than $100,000.
The 75-year-old man has also been conjointly charged with the 66-year-old woman on one count of fraud, dishonestly gaining benefit or advantage as an employee where the yield is greater than $100,000.
The 75-year-old man, 34-year-old man and 35-year-old woman are expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning. The 66-year-old woman was issued a Notice to Appear and is expected to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court in the coming weeks.
