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A retired Victorian MP who falsely claimed more than $170,000 in administrative expenses will spend at least a year behind bars.
Russell Northe, 57, was the independent member for Morwell in the state’s east in 2020 when the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission began investigating his conduct.
Russel Northe (centre) arrives at the County Court on Wednesday.Credit: AAP
Northe was required to have his finances independently audited, so the Victorian Electoral Commission knew how much money was used for expenses and what needed to be paid back.
Investigators found that in 2018 and 2019, Northe gave his auditor false receipts and bank statements, claiming he had paid for administrative assistants through a labour hire firm, bought a new printer and paid $3100 a month in office rent.
The auditor signed off on his claims, believing they were legitimate.
Northe claimed $192,863.40 in expenses for the two years, with $175,813.40 of that amount being falsely made.
IBAC charged Northe, 57, in September last year, a couple of months before he confirmed he would not recontest his seat at the state election.
On Wednesday, Northe was sentenced to 21 months in jail, after pleading guilty to two charges of misconduct in public office in the Victorian County Court.
He will be eligible for parole after a year.
Judge Michael McInerney accepted Northe had committed his crimes in the depths of an alcohol and gambling addiction.
Between July 2018 and October 2019, Northe lost more than $223,000 through gambling.
The judge also accepted Northe’s already poor mental health had deteriorated significantly in the lead-up to his sentencing hearing, and that last week he was admitted into a psychiatric facility.
“A sentence of jail would weigh more heavily on you than someone in normal health,” McInerney said.
“There’s a serious risk that jail will have a significant adverse effect on your mental health.”
But the judge said the crimes were “sophisticated, protracted and brazen”, and Northe’s moral culpability was high.
There needed to be just punishment and denunciation for such serious offending, McInerney said.
Northe sat with his head in his hands throughout the hearing, quietly sobbing at times.
McInerney wished him luck after sentencing.
If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
AAP
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