More time still needed
Former CEO’S fraud case set to drag on
THE lawyers of a former Palm Island Council deputy CEO have until Tuesday to take the next step in their client’s “drawn out” fraud case.
Appearing in the matter of John Mugambi Mwamba in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday, defence lawyer Mathai Joshi said an application to cross-examine witnesses was being prepared for the Crown.
Mr Joshi told Magistrate Ken Taylor that “more time” was needed by a second lawyer to finish the application, but it was expected to be completed that evening.
He said the brief of evidence was “significantly large” and a “complex matter”.
It is understood a hearing with a cross-examination of three witnesses would take up to two days.
Mwamba’s charges have been ongoing since 2019, after he was accused of defrauding
Palm Island Council.
He faces 86 fraud and misconduct charges, including stealing by clerks and servants, and misconduct in relation to public office – doing an act or making an omission in abuse or authority of office.
A Crime and Corruption Commission lawyer said the proceedings were “drawn out”.
Magistrate Ken Taylor said the application must be served to the Crown by 4pm next Tuesday.
Lawyer Richard Scholl also appeared in court as town agent for businessman and cooffender to Mwamba, Shane Paul Stratton.
Stratton, a former Reef Logistics operations manager, is charged with one count of corruptly receive or solicit valuable consideration as inducement or reward for any act to principals affairs or business.
Mr Scholl said Stratton’s matter was “less complicated” than Mwamba’s, and requested an adjournment.
Mwamba and Stratton’s matter will next be mentioned on November 24, with their appearances excused.