Doubt raised over fraud charges

Hearing to decide on former island executive’s fraud claims

AN executive accused of defrauding the Palm Island council may have his charges dropped.

John Mugambi Mwamba – who worked as the deputy chief executive officer and director of financial services for Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council – was arrested in

June 2019, after an investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission. He faces 25 charges of fraud over two years.

In Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday, defence barrister Harvey Walters said the hearing would examine whether his client had authority to use a corporate credit card.

AN EXECUTIVE accused of defrauding the Palm Island council may have his charges dropped after a hearing scheduled in March.

John Mugambi Mwamba – who worked as the deputy chief executive officer and director of financial services for

Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council – was arrested in June 2019, after an investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

He faces 25 charges of fraud with the alleged offences dating back to January 2017.

It is alleged he defrauded the council of $11,684.48 over nearly two years.

In Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday, defence barrister Harvey Walters said the hearing would examine whether his client had authority to use a corporate credit card.

“There’s a number of charges, it’s really a matter of walking through the evidence as such,” he said.

Magistrate Howard Osborne listed the hearing which is expected to run for two days for March 17.

The largest amount of money in a single alleged charge of fraud was $1650 and the smallest amount was $31.

In July, 2019, Mwamba successfully had his strict bail conditions amended which prevented him from having contact with Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council employees current and past, and was to have no contact with “specified persons”.

The court was not told who the “specified persons” were.

Mwamba was not allowed to access council systems, databases or finances, and was not allowed to attend places where the council conducts business. He was also not allowed to attend retail store Connors Menswear.

Mr Walters told the court in July, 2019 Mwamba had handed himself in to police in Brisbane after receiving a phone call from investigators who were in Townsville.