An Australian Taxation Office employee on the Gold Coast has been charged with allegedly passing sensitive information to organised crime associates and possessing child abuse material.
Australian Federal Police investigators arrested the 32-year-old man after raiding a home in Surfers Paradise on Thursday, September 10. Several mobile phones and electronic storage devices were seized during the search.
Police allege the man used information obtained through his role as a Commonwealth public official and disclosed it to people linked to organised crime. Investigators said child abuse material was found on some of the devices, which will now undergo further forensic examination.
The man faces two counts of unlawfully disclosing information as a Commonwealth officer, two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material accessed or obtained through a carriage service, and 15 counts of using a carriage service for child abuse material.
Each of the child abuse material charges carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The alleged unlawful disclosure offences carry maximum sentences of two years.
AFP deputy commissioner Hilda Sirec said law enforcement agencies had long been aware of attempts by organised crime groups to corrupt people with access to sensitive information.
“It’s concerning when we identify alleged instances of this classified information being made available to them,” she said.
The Australian Federal Police, National Anti-Corruption Commission and Australian Taxation Office worked together on the investigation.
The man, who has been suspended without pay from his level four Australian Public Service position, is due to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on September 21.
