Three public servants who allegedly used their inside knowledge to influence IT contracts at the Department of Finance have been charged with conspiring to defraud the Federal Government.
During a brief appearance in ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, Abdul El-Debel, 47, and Gopalakrishnan Vilayur, 50, were both charged with conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth, as well as exercising their influence as a public official to obtain a financial advantage.
Raminder Kahlon, 36, was charged with conspiracy.
It is alleged the three men used their knowledge as public servants within the department in Canberra to direct contracts through preferred suppliers, and that they received a financial benefit for their efforts.
It is alleged the crimes occurred from June 2018 up until this month.
No details of the alleged fraud were discussed in court, and no figure was put on the value of the crime.
Police said the arrests came after a complex investigation, which began after officers were alerted by the Department of Finance in July last year.
Raids were on Wednesday carried out in several Canberra suburbs, including Griffith, Barton, Amaroo, Palmerston and Forrest, when police finally swooped on the trio.
Prosecutors did not oppose bail and all three men have been released on condition they pay $25,000 if they fail to appear.
They will also have to report to police three times a week, cannot associate with each other, and have been banned from trying to remotely connect to the Department of Finance IT system.
They are expected to be back in court in July.
