’KGB kept my medical diploma’

A GOLD Coast man accused of faking medical credentials has claimed he was trained by the Russian secret service the KGB which is why no records of his training could be found.

Vincent Victor Berg has pleaded not guilty in Southport District Court to multiple counts of fraud and attempted fraud.

Berg had also been charged with grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm but those charges have been dropped.

It is alleged Berg faked his credentials to gain an unpaid clinical observer job at the Gold Coast Hospital in 1999 and to work as a paid psychiatrist in Townsville in 1999 to 2002.

The Russian political refugee took to the stand yesterday to explain why his records were not found.

“It was a special degree meant to be used only for KGB purposes,” he said.

Berg, who moved to Australia in 1992, said a KGB agent contacted him in 1994 to ask him to try to gain a position at the ABC or SBS to help with their purposes. He said he made a deal to get his medical diploma.

Berg said he did not attempt to work at either broadcaster but instead reported the contact to the “relevant authorities”. He declined to tell the court who the authorities were.

The court also heard Berg did not disclose his medical credentials when applying to study a philosophical doctorate at Griffith University in 1996, saying he did not believe the medical degree was “relevant”.

The trial continues today.