Charges of false and misleading conduct by the former manager of Mitakoodi Aboriginal Corporation (Mitakoodi), Ms Valmai O’Brien, were heard in the Cloncurry Magistrates Court today.
The charges have been laid under sections 561-1 and 561-5of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 and follow an investigation by the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of $220 000.
Mitakoodi is based in Cloncurry in Queensland and manages approximately 70 rental properties. The corporation has over 200 members.
Ms O’Brien was the manager of Mitakoodi from 1996 to July 2011. It is alleged that Ms O’Brien knowingly:
- made false or misleading statements in general reports, financial reports and audit reports lodged with the Registrar in 2009 and 2010
- used a false financial report in 2009 about Mitakoodi’s business with the intention of dishonestly influencing a director of the corporation in the performance of their duties.
The matter was adjourned to 1 June 2012 for further mention and Ms O’Brien was bailed on her own undertaking.
The matter is being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
Media contact
Christa de Jager
(02) 6146 4737
4 May 2012
Ref: ORIC MR1112-36