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Former council boss charged over alleged $1.3 million fraud
Martin Thomas Dimec faces 42 charges for authorising fraudulent invoices and allegedly embezzling nearly $1.3 million from three NSW councils over 12 years, police said.
- On Wednesday, police arrested Martin Thomas Dimec, 59, at Parramatta police station and charged him with 41 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, allegedly defrauding three councils of $1.3 million.
- Detectives allege Martin Thomas Dimec authorised fraudulent invoices while working in council roles from 2012 to 2024; Murrumbidgee Council flagged a $35,000 anomaly in December 2023, dismissed him in February 2024, and police launched Strike Force Mullagh in May 2024.
- Investigators found Martin Thomas Dimec allegedly defrauded Murrumbidgee Council of $33,000, repaid after dismissal, and approved an unpaid invoice for about $50,000, with some repayments unclear.
- He was refused police bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday after his Wednesday arrest, while Murrumbidgee Council reported the suspected frauds to the Independent Commission Against Corruption and police launched Strike Force Mullagh.
- Murrumbidgee Council Mayor Ruth McRae said the council acted swiftly to investigate the suspected frauds and confirmed there were no concerns of widespread corruption across almost 7000 square kilometres, alleging an individual acting alone.
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left10Leaning Right2Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution77% Left
Bias Distribution
- 77% of the sources lean Left
77% Left
L 77%
15%
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