Stephen Kaless, the former senior media advisor to WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt, has been charged with the indecent assault of a woman in her 20s at a work Christmas party, the ABC understands.
Mr Kaless resigned last month from his post as one of Mr Wyatt's most senior staff after a complaint about his behaviour at the party, which took place at a Perth bar on Friday December 13.
Before quitting he had been "suspended indefinitely" from his position.
The scandal came just days before Mr Wyatt handed down the WA Government's mid-year budget update.
WA Police confirmed a 44-year-old man from Bayswater, who the ABC understands is Mr Kaless, had been charged with indecent assault over the incident.
Mr Kaless allegedly assaulted the woman, a colleague aged in her 20s who was known to him, while they were in a bar area of the hotel.
Mr Kaless had been Mr Wyatt's key media adviser since Labor's 2017 election victory.
Prior to that he worked for four years as the chief of staff of the Channel 7 Perth newsroom, as listed on his LinkedIn profile.
He also previously worked as an adviser to Mr McGowan during his time as opposition leader and had been a media officer for UnionsWA.
Mr Kaless is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on January 29.
