WA Police have laid corruption charges against a 57-year-old man from East Fremantle as part of their ongoing investigation into the former Department of Communities executive Paul Whyte.
Officers from the Financial Crimes Squad arrested the man while executing a search warrant at his home last week.
Police will allege he entered into an arrangement with a personal friend who held a senior position within the Department, who the ABC understands was Paul Whyte.
Under the arrangement, it is alleged the man created a company and submitted fraudulent invoices to the Department over a 16-month period from February 2017.
Each invoice was for between $24,000 and $25,000 and totalled more than $393,000.
No work was carried out in return for the payments.
The man is facing 16 charges and is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on July 30.
Police said the former Department of Communities staff member, believed to be Paul Whyte, is facing a further 16 charges — which will be added to the 531 charges he is already facing when he next appears in court.
